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
Genotoxicity: Damage to DNA, which may promote the development <strong>of</strong> cancer or, if it involves
the gametes, cause heritable mutations.
Genetics: <strong>The</strong> inheritance <strong>of</strong> variation.
Genetic modification: <strong>The</strong> modification <strong>of</strong> an organism’s hereditary material using scientific
techniques, (also known as genetic engineering).
GLOSSARY
Genetic screen: A search through a large number <strong>of</strong> intentionally created mutant organisms for
a particular observable characteristic <strong>of</strong> scientific relevance.
Genome: <strong>The</strong> total genetic complement <strong>of</strong> a cell, individual, or species, which is contained in its
DNA.
Genomics: <strong>The</strong> science <strong>of</strong> studying the DNA sequence and properties <strong>of</strong> entire genomes (the
sequencing <strong>of</strong> the DNA <strong>of</strong> the entire human genome is an example).
Genotype: <strong>The</strong> entire genetic constitution <strong>of</strong> an individual, as distinguished from their observable
characteristics (which are referred to as their phenotype).
Germline: <strong>The</strong> gametes (eggs or sperm) and the cells that give rise to the gametes, which transmit
genetic material from one generation to the next.
Great apes: An order <strong>of</strong> primates consisting <strong>of</strong> gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans.
Hepatocyte: <strong>The</strong> main specialised cells <strong>of</strong> the liver.
Hepatotoxicity: Damage to the hepatocytes <strong>of</strong> the liver.
Histopathology: Cellular changes in tissues caused by disease.
Hormone: A molecule secreted by an endocrine gland into the blood that regulates the
development and/or activities <strong>of</strong> specific cells in the body.
Humane endpoint: See Endpoint.
Hybrid: A hybrid animal or plant is the product <strong>of</strong> a genetic cross between two different breeds,
lines or species; species hybrids such as mules are <strong>of</strong>ten sterile. Hybrid cells can be produced in
culture by fusing two different cell types.
Hybrid view: A view that combines two different viewpoints.
Immunodeficient: An animal with a poorly functioning immune system.
Inbred strains: Organisms that are almost genetically identical, which are usually produced by
repeated rounds <strong>of</strong> inbreeding.
Incubation period (<strong>of</strong> a disease): <strong>The</strong> period between exposure to an infection and the
appearance <strong>of</strong> the first symptoms.
Intravenous (i.v.): Administered into a vein.
Invasive: A procedure that involves the introduction <strong>of</strong> instruments into the body.
Invertebrates: Animals without a backbone.
In vitro: A process or procedure in a test tube or culture dish (‘in glass’).
In vivo: A process or procedure in a living animal (‘in life’).
Kantian: Approach <strong>of</strong> the German philosopher Kant. Kant affirms the existence <strong>of</strong> an absolute
moral law, the categorical imperative. See deontology.
Knock-out: Removal or inactivation <strong>of</strong> a gene.
Knock-in: Replacement <strong>of</strong> one gene by another (<strong>of</strong>ten modified) gene.
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