Animal Experimentation: A Guide to the Issues

by Vaughan Monamy

Overview

What are the moral and ethical dimensions of animal research? What obligations do we have toward our animal subjects?

In this important new book, students, researchers, and interested general readers will find a non-intimidating, readily comprehensible introduction to all the principal ethical issues and arguments in the animal experimentation debate. Vaughn Monamy covers the history and ethics of experimentation; discusses the moral status of animals and the obligations of researchers; and introduces alternatives to animal research. He does justice to both the arguments that support and oppose animal experimentation, making this a balanced and objective study of a critical issue in contemporary biomedical science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521878791
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/22/2009
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Vaughan Monamy is an Associate Professor of Science and Science Ethics at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney. He has provided expert advice to the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Working Group on Sustainable Development, and to the Australian Government's Gene Technology Ethics Committee. Dr Monamy has been awarded an Australian Government Learning and Teaching Citation for outstanding contributions to university student learning.

Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition ix

Acknowledgements xi

1 Issues in animal experimentation 1

Aims 1

Definitions 6

Scope 6

2 A history of animal experimentation 8

The origins of vivisection in Europe 8

Prevailing humanist attitudes to animals 9

The rise of modern biomedical studies 11

3 Opposition to animal experimentation 15

Introduction 15

Early opposition 15

Utilitarianism and the rise of popular concern 17

Revolution during the nineteenth century 19

Beyond Britain: opposition in the USA into the twentieth century 26

4 The moral status of animals 35

On the moral status of animals 35

Moral arguments based on reason 40

Ethics: room for emotion? 49

Moral stewardship 54

Summary 56

5 Animal use 58

How are animals used? 58

Fundamental and applied biological research 58

Genetic research 60

Behavioural research 61

Education and training 62

Production of useful biological and therapeutic materials 62

Product testing 63

6 The regulation of experiments 64

Laws governing humane use of laboratory animals 64

United Kingdom 65

Australia and New Zealand 67

United States of America 69

Summary 72

7 Seeking alternatives 74

Introduction 74

Replacement, reduction and refinement 75

Alternatives to non-human vertebrates in scientific research 77

8 Conclusions 98

The Construction of a modern research institution 98

Ethical guidelines for students in laboratory classes involving the use of animals or animal tissues 102

References 104

Index 113

Editorial Reviews

Monamy (Australian Catholic University) introduces life science students to the major issues that constitute modern debate about animal experimentation, providing a balanced treatment of ethics, law and regulation, history, opposition and alternatives related to animal-based research. The origins of western vivisection are traced, some of the advances in human welfare made possible by experiments on animals are described, and the principal moral objections are reviewed. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

'Animal Experimentation: A Guide to the Issues provides a succinct, accessible, and balanced introduction to the controversy surrounding the use of animals in scientific research, product testing, and education. The latest edition brings the guide up-to-date on a host of developments with respect to legislation, alternative methods, and other topics. The guide’s coverage of relevant issues is international in scope, so readers outside of the author’s home country (Australia) should not feel ignored. This introduction is especially suited to students planning to begin careers in the biological sciences, including as researchers, veterinarians, teachers, regulators, or administrators.' Martin Stephens, Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing

From the Publisher