animal research

Question 1

what are the strengths and weaknesses of animal research in terms of praticality

Answer 1

+ rats produce offspring in 22 days so large samples can be bred in short time frames
+ rats have a lifespan of 2 year so easier to assess the effects of early experience in behaviour and study the whole lifespan quicker than humans
+ high conrol over animals, easier to isolate variables, objective

• many differences, newly born mouse equivalent to 7 week old human have larger cortex, humans know social norms, generalisation
• human behaviour controlled by higher cognative thinking
• phenotypes are very different

Question 2

evaluate animal studies in terms of credibility

Answer 2

+ lab experiments have high internal validity, no demand characteristics or prior knowlegde, credible
+ more extensive research that is well controlled and reliable
+ share same evolutionary history and many biological systems are same, cats and bull limbic systems affects aggression as does humans
- lacks ecological validity, different to animals natural behaviours, generalisations may reduce validity
- conclusions dont take into account complexity of real life
- kikenny reviewed animal studies, over half failed to accurately report how many animals used, poorly designed

Question 3

what does the home office regulation of animals act say

Answer 3

• it relates to any scientific procedure than may cause pain, suffereing, distress or lasting harm to a protected animal
• researchers must demonstrate that consideration has beein given to: replacing, reducing and refining

Question 4

what are the BPS guidelines for animals

Answer 4

• legislation
• replacing the use of animals
• choice of species and strain
• number of animals
• procedures - project and personal licence, carried out in registered establishment
• procurement of animals
• animal care
• disposal of animals

Question 5

what is batesons cubr

Answer 5

should consider quality of researcher, certainty of medical benefit and animal suffering

Question 6

evaluate use of anaimals in terms of ethics

Answer 6

+ can do things with animals that cant with humans, pain and distress permitted with clear scientiic reason
+ animal research is heavily regulated and controlled by legislation, labs undergo regular inspection to check welfare, using them is ethical
+ animal reseach has provided significant insight into vital areas of medical research including drug treatments, trnsplants, cloning, significant contribution

• benefits of research are not know until after study so animals harmed unnecessarily
• animals are similar to humans and should have same rights, moral obligation to protect them
• speciesism, humans are no more important