Ethical and Scientific Considerations Regarding Animal Testing and Research
2011

Ethical and Scientific Considerations Regarding Animal Testing and Research

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ferdowsian Hope R., Beck Nancy

Primary Institution: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for a reevaluation of the ethical and scientific frameworks surrounding animal research in light of new understandings of animal cognition and emotion.

Supporting Evidence

  • Animal research guidelines do not adequately reflect the cognitive and emotional capabilities of animals.
  • At least 100 million animals are used each year worldwide for research.
  • Current animal research guidelines prioritize scientific questions over the interests of individual animals.

Takeaway

This study talks about how we need to think more carefully about using animals in research because they can feel pain and have emotions, just like us.

Limitations

The study acknowledges that limitations to non-animal methods remain, but these should be viewed as challenges rather than obstacles.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024059

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