Contemporary learning (U12) Flashcards
How many animals are tested on in the UK annually?
4 million
What are some historical philosophical viewd underpinning animal research?
Thomas Acquinas - objected, beleived hurting animals corrupted men
Ancient greeks - accepted due to humans higher position in scala nature
Descartes - accepted, animals couldn’t feel.
19th Century - anti-vivisection opinion grew due to concerns over applicability to humans and idea of animals potentially having souls.
What is the use of the animals (scientific procedures) Act in 1986?
Animal experimentation is regulated by the Home Office and Secretory of State
To perform experiments must have:
Institutional license - to keep animals and check welfare
Project license - necessary for project, only used for specific purpose, project has a benefit.
Personal license - allows scientist to complete specific testing in specific animals for a specific project. This can only be obtained after government training.
What are the laws surrounding cosmetic testing in animals?
Banned in UK in 1998
Being phased out in Canada (2023), AUstrialia (2020) and many others
Ban passed in the EU in 1993, but did not come into full force until 2013. Ban prevents testing and selling of animal tested cosmetic products.
What type of animals tend to used in animal testing?
Mainly mice
Then fish, rats. birds, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and amphibians.
How does PETA argue against animal testing?
We say animal testing is useful because animals are similar enough to us to give a valid and reproducible response in humans.
However, animals are different from us in order to not feel pain or suffering.
How can they be both.
Why are mice used a lot in animal research?
Shares 99% of genes with humans
Can be humanized - genetically engineered to express human proteins to better mimic responses in humans.
What are public attitudes towards animal testing like?
Most people will allow it if unnecessary suffering is avoided and there is no other alternative.
Younger generations tend to be less agreeable for animal testing
Is more acceptable for medical or human safety purposes than animal, environmental safety or cosmetic purposes.
More people disagree when asked with specific animals species rather than just animals.
Majority of people do not feel well informed about animal testing options.
What are the 3Rs in animal testing?
Replacement - alternative methods to replace/avoid animal use often in silica research.
Reduction - minimising the number of animals used, often hand in hand with maximising the amount of info gained from each animal
Refinement - methods to decrease (uneccesary) animal suffering and ensure good high quality animal welfare.
