Animal research is a necessary practice in the world of medical research, allowing scientists to develop life-saving interventions and to spot catastrophic problems before new techniques or products make their way to actual patients. However, this does not mean that we should deny that there are serious ethical issues involved.
Animal testing is not a pretty or pleasant process. It causes pain and suffering to animal subjects, and legitimate cases of abuse have been uncovered by animal rights groups. Consequently, the practice should be tightly regulated, and alternative methods should be employed whenever possible.
However, human research also is full of ethical issues. Let’s explore those.
However, human research also is full of ethical issues. Let’s explore those.
• Discuss a specific research study involving humans that had ethical issues (within past 30 years).
• What were the ethical issues involved? • What could have been done to conduct the research study differently to avoid these ethical issues?