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
<strong>The</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> animal-rights philosophy
2.17 From the 1970s onwards, ethical issues raised by animal <strong>research</strong> received increasing
attention in academic discussion, and a number <strong>of</strong> influential contributions were made to
the debate. In 1975, Dr Richard Ryder published the influential book, Victims <strong>of</strong> Science, and
coined the term ‘speciesism’ to liken the treatment <strong>of</strong> <strong>animals</strong> by humans to forms <strong>of</strong>
unjustified discrimination, such as racism or sexism (see Box 3.4). 23 In the same year, another
influential book was published, Animal Liberation, written by the Australian philosopher
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peter Singer. Singer argued that the suffering <strong>of</strong> most <strong>animals</strong> should be given
equal consideration to the suffering <strong>of</strong> most humans. <strong>The</strong> book is regarded by many <strong>of</strong> those
opposed to animal <strong>research</strong> as the manifesto for their movement, and provides the ethical
rationale for the activities <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> campaigning groups. However, we note that
Singer argued from a utilitarian perspective (see paragraphs 3.52–3.55), which is not
accepted by all <strong>of</strong> those opposed to animal <strong>research</strong>. Moreover, the concept <strong>of</strong> ascribing
‘rights’ to <strong>animals</strong> is usually not associated with utilitarian approaches. A significant
contribution setting out a rights-based approach was made in 1983 by Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Tom Regan
in <strong>The</strong> Case for Animal Rights.
2.18 While some animal protection groups stimulated debate through academic discussion, books
and leaflets, others sought to influence policy makers more directly. In 1977, the Committee
for the Reform <strong>of</strong> Animal Experimentation (CRAE) was founded and began lobbying
government for new legislation on animal <strong>research</strong>.
Undercover investigations/infiltrations undertaken by animal protection organisations
2.19 <strong>The</strong> two main anti-vivisection societies in the UK are the BUAV and the NAVS (see Box 2.4).
<strong>The</strong>y believe that animal <strong>research</strong> <strong>of</strong>ten takes place in secret and therefore they seek to draw
attention to the issue by conducting undercover investigations <strong>of</strong> animal facilities. <strong>The</strong>y aim
to demonstrate to the public the severity <strong>of</strong> licensed <strong>research</strong> <strong>involving</strong> <strong>animals</strong> and have
made numerous allegations <strong>of</strong> unlawful practices in some cases (see Box 2.5). 24
CHAPTER 2 THE CONTEXT OF ANIMAL RESEARCH: PAST AND PRESENT
23 Ryder R (1975/1983) Victims <strong>of</strong> Science: <strong>The</strong> Use <strong>of</strong> Animals in Research (London: Open Gate Press).
24 See, for example, the BUAV website Exposing secrets, available at: http://www.buav.org/undercover/secrets.html. Accessed
on: 11 Mar 2005.
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