Animal Research

Includes: Studies, ethical considerations etc.

What ethical considerations should be considered when using animal studies?

• Right to withdraw

• Anonymity

• Informed consent

• Debrief

• Undue stress

• Deception

What are the “pros” of animal studies? - Acronym

MISTER

M - Medical Advancements

I - Implementing Safety Testing

S - Standard Ethical Considerations

T - Three R’s (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)

E - Enforcement of Regulations

R - Regulatory Compliance

Expand on the “pros” of animal studies

• Medical Advancements: Animal experiments are essential for developing new medicines and ensuring drug safety before human trials.

• Safety Testing: They help identify ineffective or dangerous drugs early, preventing potential harm to humans.

• Ethical Considerations: Experimenters strive to minimize suffering and improve animal welfare through the principles of Reduction, Refinement, and Replacement (the Three Rs).

• Regulatory Compliance: Proposed EU directives aim to improve animal welfare, ensure fair competition, and boost research within ethical boundaries.

What are the “cons” of animal studies? - Acronym

SAVED

S - Suffering of Animals

A - Amoral (Moral) Objections

V - Validity (Questionable Validity)

E - Ethical Dilemmas

D - Distress (Animal Distress)

Expand on the “cons” of animal studies

• Animal Suffering: Experiments often cause significant pain and distress to animals, raising serious ethical concerns.

• Moral Objections: Many believe it is inherently wrong to cause animals to suffer, regardless of potential human benefits.

• Questionable Validity: Some scientists argue that results from animal experiments are not always applicable to humans and can be misleading.

• Ethical Dilemmas: The moral justification of harming animals for potential human benefits is contentious, with arguments against it based on the principles of acts and omissions, and the ethical treatment of beings with similar cognitive capacities.