What are your thoughts on animal research and testing in the medical field?

Most medical universities and academic centers have specific policies on their animal testing procedures. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the institutional policies of the medical school you are interviewing with before your interview.

While this is an open-ended, opinionated question, you need to avoid saying you are totally against any form of animal testing and research. No matter your thoughts and opinions, remember to discuss policies and procedures that are in place to help ensure that animals are treated humanely in any medical research environment. You will score some points with your interviewer at this station if you can speak a bit on the policies of the medical school/university you are interviewing with.

"I believe that using animals in biomedical research is crucial to lead the discovery of new treatments and causes of some of the worst diseases today. Most of the general public remains very judgmental of the practice and, frankly, uneducated on the topic. Where animal testing once had no restrictions and animals like rats, dogs, and monkeys were subjected to cruel environments, I'm confident that is a thing of the past in modern medicine. Most researchers today are strong supporters of animal welfare, and I love that your institution takes pride in ensuring the well-being of all animals in your care. Federal laws are in place to ensure that guidelines are followed in the breeding and testing of animals in a laboratory setting. Knowing that my career goal is to one day be involved in groundbreaking research in cancer, I look forward to learning more in my time as a medical student here and even being involved in the lab setting."