The ethics of research involving animals - Nuffield Council on ...

T h e e t h i c s o f r e s e a r c h i n v o l v i n g a n i m a l s
Discussion and recommendations
Introduction
15.1 More can and must be done to improve the quality <strong>of</strong> the debate about <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong>
<strong>animals</strong>. Some <strong>of</strong> those who oppose such <strong>research</strong> accuse those in favour <strong>of</strong> acting without
any legitimate ethical motives, and vice versa. We hope that the discussion in Chapter 14
has helped to show that such generalisations are mistaken, and that a highly complex
picture emerges when the various positions are taken seriously.
15.2 We observed that the positions are not categorically distinct, but should rather be viewed
as positions on a spectrum. Within this spectrum there is a significant area <strong>of</strong> common
ground, shared by all members <strong>of</strong> the Working Party, despite their differences with regard
to other issues. We describe this area <strong>of</strong> agreement below in the form <strong>of</strong> a consensus
statement. Several practical implications that follow are explained in more detail in the
conclusions and recommendations which are based on the recognition that all animal
<strong>research</strong> needs to be justified. We address:
■ ways <strong>of</strong> improving the quality <strong>of</strong> debate about <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in society
(paragraphs 15.22–15.52);
■ the role <strong>of</strong> legislation and regulation (paragraphs 15.53–15.56);
■ the development and implementation <strong>of</strong> the Three Rs (paragraphs 15.57–15.62); and
■ a range <strong>of</strong> more specific issues, which include:
• ways <strong>of</strong> motivating and monitoring approaches to reduction <strong>of</strong> the use <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in
<strong>research</strong> (paragraphs 15.64–15.67),
CHAPTER 15 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• issues raised by the possibility that <strong>research</strong> is duplicated (paragraphs 15.65–15.70),
• the use <strong>of</strong> GM <strong>animals</strong> (paragraphs 15.71–15.75),
• the scientific validity <strong>of</strong> animal experimentation (paragraphs 15.76–15.80),
• toxicity testing (paragraphs 15.81–15.83),
• problems in harmonising international test guidelines (paragraphs 15.84–15.87), and
• UK <strong>research</strong>ers commissioning or undertaking <strong>research</strong> abroad (paragraphs 15.88-15.91).
Consensus statement by all members <strong>of</strong> the Working Party
Research <strong>involving</strong> <strong>animals</strong> and other uses <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong>
15.3 It is important to consider the ethical issues raised by animal experimentation in the wider
context <strong>of</strong> the other uses <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in society, and to take into account:
■ the impact on the lives and welfare <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> that different uses have;
■ the broader consequences if there were a ban on using <strong>animals</strong> in specific circumstances;
■ a comparison <strong>of</strong> the benefits arising from the different uses <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong>; and
■ the numbers <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> involved.
15.4 <strong>The</strong> involvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in <strong>research</strong> cannot be justified simply by the fact that <strong>animals</strong>
are used or abused in other ways. Each use requires special consideration. Members <strong>of</strong> the
Working Party noted during their own discussions, and in considering responses to the
Consultation, that views on animal <strong>research</strong> were not always consistent with views on the
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