PSY 2311st Edition Lecture 18Outline of Last Lecture I. Examples of Possible Ethical DilemmasOutline of Current Lecture II. Animal Research TodayIII. Animal Research in PsychIV. Animal Welfare Today: The PlayersV. Major Arguments Against Animal ResearchVI. Regulation of Animal ResearchCurrent LectureAnimal Research Today● 20 million animals per year used in science plus industry testing● 95% rodents, also dogs, pigs, primates, insectsPeople Issue Animalyes not whether research is done,but what kindyesyes almost no procedure totally forbidden(upsetting situations, shock, surgery, drugs)yesyes risks (to participant) vs. benefits (to science)yesyes minimizing risks“least risky procedure”yesyes social protection: informed consent and confidentialitynoAnimal Research In Psych● Species specific behavior patterns○ bird songs, mating patterns● Captive animal enrichment○ behavior problems, health management, breeding● General psychological processes○ learning/memory○ neuroscience○ psychopharmacology○ implications for how we understand people in the everyday world○ implications for psychological problems● Comparative psychology○ language and numerical abilities in apes and childrenAnimal Welfare Today: The Players● US government● Animal welfare advocating groups○ humane society○ people for the ethical treatment for animals (PETA)■ “ animals are not ours to wear, eat, for entertainment, or to experiment on”● Terrorist groups○ animal liberation front (ALF)Major Arguments Against Animal Research● Irrelevance○ interspecies generality● Species-ism○ Does might make it right?● Alternatives exist○ “test tube” procedures, test on tissue samples○ computer simulations○ prisoners○ clinical trials● Animals are better off when not in captivity○ define “better off”● All of these have serious problemsRegulation of Animal Research● Animal care and use committee (ACUC)○ housing veterinary care○ research procedures■ benefits vs.pain and suffering■ humane
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