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
Pathogenesis: <strong>The</strong> processes by which a disease develops.
Peptide: A short string <strong>of</strong> amino acids, which occurs either within a larger protein molecule or as
an individual, biologically important molecule.
Peritoneum: <strong>The</strong> cellular membrane lining the cavity <strong>of</strong> the abdomen (the peritoneal cavity).
Pharmaceutical: Medicinal drug.
GLOSSARY
Pharmacokinetics: <strong>The</strong> process by which a medicine is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and
eliminated by the body.
Pharming: <strong>The</strong> production <strong>of</strong> pharmaceuticals in genetically modified plants or <strong>animals</strong>.
Phenotype: <strong>The</strong> observable or measurable traits <strong>of</strong> an individual, which depend on both its
genotype and the environment.
Phototoxicity: Toxicity <strong>of</strong> a compound in the presence <strong>of</strong> light. While a medicine by itself may
have no toxic effects, this may change in combination with light.
Potency: Strength <strong>of</strong> action.
Prion: Infectious proteins that are the cause <strong>of</strong> transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such
as scrapie, BSE and CJD.
Procedure: A combination <strong>of</strong> one or more technical acts carried out on an animal for an
experimental or other scientific purpose which may cause that animal pain, suffering, distress or
lasting harm. <strong>The</strong> Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 uses the term 'procedure' rather than
'experiment' so that laboratory <strong>animals</strong> used in ways which are not experimental, such as
breeding <strong>of</strong> harmful mutants, are also covered.
Progeny: <strong>The</strong> <strong>of</strong>fspring <strong>of</strong> an organism.
Prophylactic: For the purpose <strong>of</strong> preventing disease.
Protein: A molecule consisting <strong>of</strong> a long chain <strong>of</strong> amino acids, folded up into a specific threedimensional
structure, which determines its function. Proteins are encoded by genes and are
essential for almost all life processes.
Pyrogenic: Producing heat, especially in the body.
Receptor: A molecule on or in a cell that specifically recognises a signal molecule outside the cell
such as a neurotransmitter or hormone.
Retro-orbital bleeding: A method <strong>of</strong> drawing blood from behind the eye.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA): A single stranded nucleic acid molecule produced by transcription from
DNA. It consists <strong>of</strong> a long chain made from four nucleotides, whose sequence determines the
informational content <strong>of</strong> the molecule. It may either be translated into protein or may itself have
a direct functional role.
Ruminant: A ho<strong>of</strong>ed animal that chews the cud e.g. cows, sheep.
Selective breeding: Where organisms exhibiting desired characteristics are used to produce
<strong>of</strong>fspring that also bear those characteristics.
Sentient: Having the power <strong>of</strong> perception by the senses.
Sequencing: Ascertaining the sequence <strong>of</strong> amino acid subunits in a polypeptide (protein) or <strong>of</strong>
nucleotides in an RNA or DNA molecule.
Somatic: Of or relating to the body. A distinction is <strong>of</strong>ten made between the somatic cells <strong>of</strong> an
animal, which leave no genetic trace when the animal dies, and the germ cells, which can pass on
the animal’s genetic information to the next generation.
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