Animal Research PowerPoint.pdfVIP

Animal Experimentation Research and Presentation by Paul J. Kelly, BS ? Animals are often used in medical research to: – Investigate the progression of diseases – Test new drugs – Test new surgeries ? Animals are also used in cosmetic research to test for allergic reactions and other potential side- effects caused by cosmetic products. Animals in Research ? Much like the reason why we should study biomedical ethics generally, we should study the ethics of animal research because of the appalling history of medical abuses involving animal test subjects. ? Only by studying how we ought to conduct research can we avoid unprofessional, unscientific, and needlessly repetitive studies that bring about unnecessary harm to laboratory animals. Why Be Concerned? ? About 20 million animals are experimented on and killed annually, three-fourths for medical purposes and the rest to test various commercial products. ? Rats, mice and other rodents make up 85-90% of all research animals. ? Only 1 to 1.5% of research animals are dogs and cats. ? Only 0.5% are non-human primates. ? There has been a 40% decrease in the numbers of animals used in biomedical research and testing in the US since 1968. Animal Research Statistics ? A study of animal testing conducted in 2003 showed that: – 61% of animals used suffer no pain – 31% have pain relieved with anesthesia – 8% experience pain, as alleviation would compromise the validity of the data Animal Research Statistics ? We will attempt to answer: 1) Are human interests morally superior to the interests of other animals, and if so why? 2) Is the use of animal research subjects morally justified, and if so under what conditions can it be conducted ethically? Objective of Presentation ? Attempts to Justify Moral Uniqueness of Humans – Biological Make-up –Unique Capacities – The Kantian Deontological Approach ? Utilitarianism and Objections – The Utilitarian Approach – Peter Singer and Spec