What does the Bible say about animal testing?
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The Bible does not directly address animal testing, but it calls people to exercise responsible dominion over animals, reject needless cruelty, and uphold the special value of human life. Genesis 1:26-28 teaches that humanity bears God’s image and is entrusted with authority over living creatures, an authority meant to reflect God’s wise and caring rule rather than exploitation. Proverbs 12:10 commends the righteous person who cares for an animal’s needs, while Matthew 6:26 and Luke 12:6 show that God notices and values His creatures. Therefore, medical research may be considered with grave restraint when it serves genuine human good, seeks to reduce suffering, and avoids careless or profit-driven harm.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 6:26
See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?
- Genesis 1:28
God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
- Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
- Luke 12:6
"Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.
- Genesis 1:26
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
- Exodus 20:13
"You shall not murder.
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