Chapter title |
Would the Elimination of the Capacity to Suffer Solve Ethical Dilemmas in Experimental Animal Research?
|
---|---|
Chapter number | 318 |
Book title |
Ethical Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience
|
Published in |
Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, June 2014
|
DOI | 10.1007/7854_2014_318 |
Pubmed ID | |
Book ISBNs |
978-3-66-244865-6, 978-3-66-244866-3
|
Authors |
Adam Shriver |
Editors |
Grace Lee, Judy Illes, Frauke Ohl |
Abstract |
The use of genetic engineering to enhance the welfare of laboratory animals can reduce the amount of suffering in current neuroscience research paradigms. In particular, for some forms of basic research, we can use welfare-enhanced animals to reduce harms to animals without sacrificing any of the scientific validity. In another group of experiments, we can use welfare-enhanced animals to dramatically reduce the number of unprotected animals enduring aversive procedures. Many of the objections to using welfare-enhanced animals for food production do not apply to their use in research, since genetic knockout techniques are already used routinely in research for human ends and since there is no risk for human health. Furthermore, examples of recent knockout experiments suggest that we already have, or are very close to having, the capacity to reduce suffering in laboratories via genetic engineering. If we are truly committed to balancing the advancement of science with the welfare of animals, this option should be further explored. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 22 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 27% |
Student > Master | 2 | 9% |
Student > Postgraduate | 2 | 9% |
Lecturer > Senior Lecturer | 1 | 5% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 1 | 5% |
Other | 3 | 14% |
Unknown | 7 | 32% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 4 | 18% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 2 | 9% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 2 | 9% |
Unspecified | 1 | 5% |
Philosophy | 1 | 5% |
Other | 4 | 18% |
Unknown | 8 | 36% |