Ethics In Animal Testing
Ethics essay
Introduction
According to Home office (2017) animal testing “remains a vital tool” especially when carrying out research into diseases and in developing “new medicines, treatments and technologies”. Scientists state that animal testing is effective as animals are biologically similar to humans and so can provide scientists with ‘important clues about diseases’ Animal testing also means new drugs can be tested for possible side effects, before the drug is given to humans in clinical trials (Understanding animal research,2013, RSPCA, n.d.). In spite of this, however, many animal rights activists claim that animal testing causes the animal more pain and distress than is necessary. They also argue that animals shouldn’t be kept …show more content…
Raising the question; is animal testing still “ethically justified”? (Akhtar, A, 2015). Especially since animals have been shown to feel some degree of pain and stress in procedures that ultimately won’t be of any benefit to them (Nuffield bioethics, 2005 ).
Research carried out into stress experienced by animals in captivity, such as laboratories, suggest that animals experience stress due to an “Inability to control most aspects of their surroundings”(Morgan, 2007). The high degree of stress may also lead to the animal displaying “self- injurious behaviours” (Lutz, 2003). One example of these behaviours evident Rhesus monkeys in laboratory conditions includes “self-biting” (Lutz, 2003).
Are there any alternative methods? (400)
Due to the high amount of distress caused to animals during animal testing, both sides of this moral debate agree that alternative methods should be looked into to help minimise this suffering. With the three R’s being an important tool for scientists to use to minimise “animal use and suffering in medical and veterinary research” (RSPCA,n.d). The three R’s …show more content…
to dogs receiving the first heart transplant (animal research, n.d). It has also looked at current UK guidelines (Home Office, 2015). (Akhtar, 2015). Before looking at the other side of the debate where many claimed that animal testing is ineffective (Akhtar, 2015), especially considering the cost to the animals involved (Nuffield bioethics, 2005 ). Finally, this essay considered the possibility of alternative methods such as the use of fruit flies by ‘Mcgurk et al’,
Introduction
According to Home office (2017) animal testing “remains a vital tool” especially when carrying out research into diseases and in developing “new medicines, treatments and technologies”. Scientists state that animal testing is effective as animals are biologically similar to humans and so can provide scientists with ‘important clues about diseases’ Animal testing also means new drugs can be tested for possible side effects, before the drug is given to humans in clinical trials (Understanding animal research,2013, RSPCA, n.d.). In spite of this, however, many animal rights activists claim that animal testing causes the animal more pain and distress than is necessary. They also argue that animals shouldn’t be kept …show more content…
Raising the question; is animal testing still “ethically justified”? (Akhtar, A, 2015). Especially since animals have been shown to feel some degree of pain and stress in procedures that ultimately won’t be of any benefit to them (Nuffield bioethics, 2005 ).
Research carried out into stress experienced by animals in captivity, such as laboratories, suggest that animals experience stress due to an “Inability to control most aspects of their surroundings”(Morgan, 2007). The high degree of stress may also lead to the animal displaying “self- injurious behaviours” (Lutz, 2003). One example of these behaviours evident Rhesus monkeys in laboratory conditions includes “self-biting” (Lutz, 2003).
Are there any alternative methods? (400)
Due to the high amount of distress caused to animals during animal testing, both sides of this moral debate agree that alternative methods should be looked into to help minimise this suffering. With the three R’s being an important tool for scientists to use to minimise “animal use and suffering in medical and veterinary research” (RSPCA,n.d). The three R’s …show more content…
to dogs receiving the first heart transplant (animal research, n.d). It has also looked at current UK guidelines (Home Office, 2015). (Akhtar, 2015). Before looking at the other side of the debate where many claimed that animal testing is ineffective (Akhtar, 2015), especially considering the cost to the animals involved (Nuffield bioethics, 2005 ). Finally, this essay considered the possibility of alternative methods such as the use of fruit flies by ‘Mcgurk et al’,