GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Applications of Ethics
Source: The Hindu
Context: Globally there is concern about ethical issues related to animal research. Recently, a proposed measure in Switzerland would have made that country the first to ban medical and scientific experimentation on animals but it failed to pass with only 21% of voters in favour.
About Animal research:
Animal research or Experimentation involves the use of animals to develop and test the safety of new medicines, drugs, cosmetics, medical procedures and other industry products.
Ethical issues involved in animal research:
- The moral status of an animal.
- Innate rights of animals
- Distinguish between testing on animals and infants or disabled humans
- The inability of the animals to consent.
- Lack of proven benefits to humans, out of these methods.
Arguments in favour of Animal research:
- Life-saving cures and treatments
- No proper alternative for testing.
- Overcome ethical considerations involved in the use of human subjects
- Shorter life cycles of animals.
- Animal treatments are developed during their experimentation
Arguments against Animal research:
- Time- and resource-intensive
- In many cases, do not correctly predict real-world human reactions and do not ensure safety
- Anatomic, metabolic, and cellular differences between animals and humans.
Alternatives to animal testing:
- In vitro methods i.e. using human cell cultures and tissuesg. organs-on-a-chip
- In silico methods i.e. advanced computer-modelling
- Engagement of human volunteers
- Using simulators for medical training.
Guidelines for Animal Research: As followed by Federal Agency and EU
Ethical aspects followed in other countries:
In the U.S., the Animal Welfare Act protects all warm-blooded animals except rats, mice and birds bred for research. Rats, mice and birds are protected – along with fish, reptiles and all other vertebrates – by the Public Health Service Policy.
The basic national standards for humane treatment, research institutions across 47 countries, including the U.S., may seek voluntary accreditation by a nonprofit called the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, or AAALAC International. AAALAC accreditation recognizes the maintenance of high standards of animal care and use.
Conclusion:
Animal research benefits both humans and animals. Numerous medical advances exist because they were initially studied in animals – from treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative disease to new techniques for surgery, organ transplants and non-invasive imaging and diagnostics.
Insta Links:
A tougher law to prevent cruelty to animals: Need and Concerns
Mains Link:
Q. Discuss how and why compassion can act as an ethical and practical tool in the conservation of wildlife and nature.
