Exam Flashcards
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) Year
1986
While working under the ASPA you are exempt from
Prosecution under animal welfare legislation
e.g. Animal Welfare Act 2006
Failing to comply can lead to…
Prosecution under the ASPA and Animal Welfare Act
Guidance documents on ASPA interpretation
Guidance on the Operation of ASPA 1986
Housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures
Housing and care of animals in designated breeding and supply establishments
Guidance document that provides information covering the killing of protected animals
Guidance on the Operation of the ASPA 1986
Ethics (definition)
The process by which we attempt to distinguish right from wrong
Relates to the decision that you or others make as individuals
The law (definition)
A system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions (the police and judiciary) to govern the behaviour of individuals and institutions
ASPA and ethics
All animal studies must be ethically justified
The host institute must undertake an ethical assessment and document it for the ASRU
Animals in Service Regulation Unit (ASRU) inspector responsibility
Responsible for overseeing all work conducted under ASPA on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Office
Which body undertakes an ethical assessment and who is it composed of?
The Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB)
Scientists, senior members of animal care staff, including the vet and lay members
The role of AWERB
Undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed work on a utilitarian or consequentialist ethical assessment and advise senior management on the ethical acceptability of the proposed study
What does the AWERB cost-benefit analysis do?
Weight up the expected benefits against the likely suffering
Limitations of utilitarian or consquentialist ethics
Decisions are dependent upon the information available at the time
Actions that are ethically acceptable today may become unjustifiable as further knowledge is acquired
Criticisms of ethical assessments made using utilitarian or consequentialist ethics
Tend to support actions that “serve the greater good” and therefore may discriminate against minority groups
Often involves a high level of uncertainty
The circumstance under which the assessment is being made can influence the outcome
Who is Jeremy Bentham?
Philosopher - legal and social reformer
Advocate of equal rights for women and animal protection
“The question is not can they reason, nor can they talk, but can they suffer?”
Who is Richard Ryder?
Coined the term “speciesism”
Argues that since humans are the product of animal evolution it is wrong to distinguish between animals and humans on moral issues
Who is Peter Singer?
Animal liberation
Argues that although differences exist between animals and humans, they both share the capacity to suffer, and therefore deserve equal consideration with respect to minimising suffering
% Antivivisectionists in the UK
10
% People in the UK that consider action taken against those involved in animal research to be a justifiable form of protest
25
Number animals used in research each year in UK
4.1 million
1 for every 15 people
Number of animals killed for other reasons
2.5 billion
40 per person
Number of animals killed for other reasons (number for each reason)
1.3 billion - fish 900 million - livestock 70 million - road traffic 2 million - rodents by pest control 13,000 - euthanized by vets (220 million rodents and birds by pet cats)
Percentage animals used in research in UK
81% rodents (7% rats, 74% mice, over 50% GM) 12% fish (mainly GM) 4% birds (mainly poultry) 1% dogs, cats horses 0.1% primates (4,000)
Possible alternatives to animal studies
Should be used when possible
Cell, tissue and organ cultures
Computer models
None truly replicate
True of false - There is a legal requirement to confirm the safety and efficacy of new drugs, novel compounds and medical interventions in animals before humans
True
Product testing that is not permitted
Banned in EU since 2004
Safety testing of cosmetics and household products
Illegal to sell these products that have been tested on animals