Animal research is a necessary practice in the world of medical research, allowing scientists to develop life-saving interventions and to spot catastrophic problems before new techniques or products make their way to actual patients. However, this does not mean that we should deny that there are serious ethical issues involved. Animal testing is not a pretty or pleasant process. It causes pain and suffering to animal subjects, and legitimate cases of abuse have been uncovered by animal rights groups. Consequently, the practice should be tightly regulated, and alternative methods should be employed whenever possible. • Discuss a specific research study involving animals that had ethical issues. • What were the ethical issues involved? • What could have been done to conduct the research study differently to avoid these ethical issues?
Added by Jose Miguel V.
Close
Step 1
This study was conducted by Dr. Edward Taub at the Institute for Behavioral Research in Silver Spring, Maryland. The research involved the use of 17 macaque monkeys, who were subjected to a procedure called "deafferentation," which involved cutting sensory nerves Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Supreeta N and 85 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
One of the principal differences between the ethical guidelines for human and animal research is: (A) Human subjects can be deceived for experimental purposes and animals cannot. (B) Animal subjects can be placed at much greater physical risk than human subjects can (C) Human subjects must be chosen much more carefully than animal subjects. (D) If humans might physically suffer because of the study, the suffering must be minimal, in contrast to animal studies where any amount of suffering is ethical if it helps to further a clear scientific purpose. (E) Environmental conditions for human studies must be monitored much more closely than they are in an animal study.
Animal Research The United States government has accepted that research on animals is necessary and beneficial. Opponents of animal research say the act is inherently wrong. Support Your Opinion: Please address these (4) Questions 1.) How do you feel about the use of animals for scientific research? 2.) Does the type of animal make a difference in your answer? i.e. a dog vs. a cat vs. a monkey vs. a rat vs. an insect 3.) If you are against the research, would your opinion change if you knew the animals were treated with care while they were used for experiments? If you are pro-animal research, does how they are treated matter to you? 4.) Can medical research on animals be justified?
Adi S.
Recommended Textbooks
Biology for AP Courses
Objective Biology for NEET
Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
Transcript
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD