Lecture 5: Animal Ethics and Use in Research Flashcards
Animal ethics are the…
…moral principles that govern how we treat animals that are experimented on.
Morality here refers to what is considered right and acceptable ways of treating animals for research.
Arguments for animal use include
the fact pain and suffering is kept to a minimum and that human benefits are gained that cannot be obtained through non-animal methods
Arguments against animal use include…
…that experimenting on animals is just unacceptable to start with.
There is also the fact some claim that any benefits derived from animal testing can be reproduced through other techniques.
5 Main Moral Theories of Animal Use in Society
- Contractarianism
- Utilitarianism
- The relationship view
- The animal rights point of view
- The respect nature point of view.
Contractarianism is the idea of…
…contracts between individuals to govern their interactions.
We each have our own interests that we are entitled to pursue but we can benefit from the help of others.
In terms of animal research, the reason why animals would be treated well would be to improve the outcomes of research rather than to respect animals.
Utilitarianism argues that…
…actions are right if they are useful or beneficial to the majority.
In terms of animal research, they would under this theory deserve moral considerations but this should be weighed against the benefits to humans and animals.
This argument compares the cost to the benefits.
The relationship view highlights…
…the importance of our relationships to animals and is based upon considering animals in a sort of hierarchical order.
This theory would treat domesticated animals differently from other animals like pests.
The animal rights view opposes the concept of the…
…use of animals and puts limits on our treatment of animals.
This argues that animals should have the same considerations as human beings and therefore should not suffer or be killed for human benefit.
The respect for nature view argues that…
we have a duty to protect not just individual animals but the species they belong to.
Species should be preserved and not genetically modified.
In reality, these viewpoints (the moral theories) are…
…rigid
Usually, a hybrid framework encompassing these values is used
Why do we need to use Animals in Research?
[Part 1/4]
Ideally alternative techniques to in vivo models would be used and this is the case for 90% of research. However, cells behave differently in vivo compared to in vitro.
Most of the medicines today come from animal research with 70% of Nobel prizes involving animal research (e.g. polio).
Animal research is also critical in better understanding animal ill health
Research scientists seek to alleviate pain and suffering with there being rigorous regulation to prevent misuse
Why do we need to use Animals in Research?
[Part 2/4]
The overall research approaches are studies of human beings and populations (limited use), in vitro techniques, in vivo techniques and in silico techniques (computers).
The UK law states animals can never be used if there is an alternative. However, much research needs to be trialled in animals to observe things like side effects
There are many different forms of in vitro experiments and these systems are often cheaper and quicker than animal models. Organoids are a way of improving the natural environment of these experiments. It is still however not an alternative to a living system.
Why do we need to use Animals in Research?
[Part 3/4]
Computer models cannot replace animal experiments currently.
Testing humans is fine for certain experimentation however, drug testing without trials on animals can have very severe consequences. In the past, drugs like thalidomide had severe consequences when they were not tested on animals (prescribed in 1950s to alleviate morning sickness) and the fact this drug can pass through the placental barrier and induce deformities in children. There are much deeper ethical debates that would occur about which humans should be the subject of trials if animals was not used.
The reason animals are ideal is their systems are similar to humans with most human diseases existing in more than one other species. Side effects and efficacy can only truly be shown at this stage. The whole system complexity of interactions is really only replicable in vivo. It is in fact required by law to find out side effects in this way.
Why do we need to use Animals in Research?
[Part 4/4]
Over time, animal use grew steadily until 1975 with number then decreasing and then growing again as GM animals became more and more predominant.
Animals used in research are mainly performed on rodents, fish and birds with these making up 94% of procedures. Around 1% are performed on protected animals with this including dogs, cats, horses and primates.
The animals act 1986
[Government Legislation Protecting Animals in Research]
… regulates the use of animals in scientific procedures.
Protected animals include living vertebrates other than man and any living cephalopods. The principle of the act is animals used for experiments that can cause pain, suffering and distress must be very regulated
