Animal research

Question 1

Ethical guidelines

Answer 1

• must have home office licence
• use of anaesthetics must be used by qualified specialist
• Social environment of animal must be appropriate
• Suffering kept to minimum

Question 2

3R’s Russell and Birch

Answer 2

Refine- Experiment must minimise the pain
Replace - Do animals need to be used?
Reduce - Number of animals kept to minimum

Question 3

Ethical reasons: why animals shouldn’t be used in reseach

Answer 3

Speciesism - Possibility of one species discriminating against another for its own benefit
Pain and suffering - severe pain and suffering can never be justified

Question 4

Ethical reasons: why animals should be used in research

Answer 4

Types of research - some experiments cannot be carried out on humans because of ethical reasons
Benefits of research - Can lead to improved lives of humans and animals

Question 5

Practical issues of animal research

Answer 5

Psychological differences- basic psychology of animals brain may be too different
Animal responses - to drugs may be different to humans
Comparing generations - easier in animals as they mature faster
Experimental control - easier to remain detached with animals

Question 6

Batesons decision cube

Answer 6

Animal suffering kept low, certainty of medical benefit high, quality of research high