The ethics of research involving animals - Nuffield Council on ...
The ethics of research involving animals - Nuffield Council on ...
The ethics of research involving animals - Nuffield Council on ...
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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<br />
regulati<strong>on</strong>s. 15 Equally, some <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the informati<strong>on</strong> that is produced by organisati<strong>on</strong>s representing<br />
those whose work involves <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g> focuses disproporti<strong>on</strong>ately <strong>on</strong> the medical benefits <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
animal <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g>, paying less attenti<strong>on</strong> to areas such as basic <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> or product testing, and<br />
the pain and suffering experienced by <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g> involved in such uses. 16<br />
15.40 We encourage animal protecti<strong>on</strong> groups and organisati<strong>on</strong>s representing those involved in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> using <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g> to produce fair and balanced literature <strong>on</strong> this subject. This should<br />
include, am<strong>on</strong>g other things, detailed informati<strong>on</strong> about both the scientific benefits and the<br />
costs in terms <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the implicati<strong>on</strong>s for animal welfare. Similarly, the advantages and limitati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> using alternative methods for <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> need to be discussed in a realistic manner.<br />
15.41 Public debates about <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g> would also be enhanced by educating young<br />
people about issues raised by animal experimentati<strong>on</strong> through presenting all sides <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
argument. More balanced materials could make an important c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to an improved<br />
understanding <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the costs and benefits, to both humans and <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>involving</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g>, particularly for use in schools. We therefore recommend that the UK Department<br />
for Educati<strong>on</strong> and Skills should commissi<strong>on</strong> an academic department <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> that<br />
does not have close links to pressure groups or to those involved in animal <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g>, to<br />
produce suitable materials for use across the curriculum as appropriate, especially at Key<br />
Stages 2 and 3.<br />
Public debates and discussi<strong>on</strong>s in stakeholder fora<br />
15.42 Much can be learned from meetings which provide a forum for dialogue and allow<br />
members <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the public to discuss their views with relevant experts. We welcome provisi<strong>on</strong><br />
in the Government’s Science & Innovati<strong>on</strong> Investment Framework 2004–2014 for a new<br />
grants scheme ‘to build the capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> citizens, the science community and policy makers<br />
to engage in the dialogue necessary to establish and maintain public c<strong>on</strong>fidence in making<br />
better choices about critical new areas in science and technology.’ 17 We are aware that the<br />
way the grants scheme is operated is currently being reviewed, and that Ministers may<br />
decide to allocate funding for prioritised areas. In view <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> our observati<strong>on</strong> about the need<br />
to improve the quality <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the debate, and also the Governments discussi<strong>on</strong> about animal<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the Science & Innovati<strong>on</strong> Investment Framework programme, 18 we recommend<br />
that funding should be provided by the Government to identify and carry out novel ways<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> achieving stakeholder engagement and public debate <strong>on</strong> issues raised by <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>involving</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g>. <str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g> Office <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> Science and Technology (OST) should liaise with the APC<br />
and the NC3Rs to advise Ministers <strong>on</strong> areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> particular c<strong>on</strong>cern.<br />
15.43 However, arranging dialogue, including public debates, <strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>troversial matters is not<br />
straightforward. For example, there was some criticism <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Government’s GM Nati<strong>on</strong>?<br />
15 <str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g> Advertising Standards Agency has upheld several complaints made by the RDS about the use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> unrepresentative pictures<br />
in campaigns. <str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g>se include rulings against Naturewatch (October 1996), Uncaged campaigns (March 1998), Save the Hillgrove<br />
Cats (August 1999), FAUNA (September 1999) and Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs (March 2000).<br />
16 For example, some members <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Working Party c<strong>on</strong>sider that informati<strong>on</strong> brochures such as Medical Advances from<br />
Research using Animals (CMP 2003/4), Animal Research and Human Medicine (ABPI 2004) or <str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g> Use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> N<strong>on</strong>-human Animals in<br />
Research: A guide for scientists (Royal Society, 2003), available at: http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/policy/AnimalsResearch.htm<br />
Accessed <strong>on</strong>: 21 April 2005, which are intended to provide neutral informati<strong>on</strong> about animal <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g>, are insufficiently<br />
balanced. See also Russell WMS (2004) <str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g> use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-human <str<strong>on</strong>g>animals</str<strong>on</strong>g> in <str<strong>on</strong>g>research</str<strong>on</strong>g>: a guide for scientists ATLA 32: 119–20.<br />
17 See HM Treasury/DTI/Department for educati<strong>on</strong> and skills (2004) Science & Innovati<strong>on</strong> Investment Framework 2004-2014,<br />
paragraph 21, available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/33A/AB/spend04_sciencedoc_1_090704.pdf. Accessed <strong>on</strong>: 21<br />
April 2005.<br />
18 See HM Treasury/DTI/Department for educati<strong>on</strong> and skills (2004) Science & Innovati<strong>on</strong> Investment Framework 2004-2014,<br />
paragraph 6.16-7.20, available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/33A/AB/spend04_sciencedoc_1_090704.pdf. Accessed<br />
<strong>on</strong>: 21 April 2005.<br />
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