ethics and moral reasoning

RESPONSIBILITY TO ANIMALS

Brianna Williams

Ashford University

Part 1: Thesis

While is necessary for scientists to use animals in research, they should handle them responsibly and ethically.

Part 2: Introduction

Animals, just like human beings, have feelings and emotions that affect their existence. The survival of animals depends on how they are treated by humans especially the surroundings in which they live (APA, 2014). Animals should be treated responsibly and ethically; human beings need to keep it mind that animals have feelings too. But in most cases non-human beings are roughly handled as if they don’t deserve to live; this is wrong and should be rectified. Those who handle animals especially in research institutions should consider the element of ethical conduct and responsibility while dealing with animals. This paper focuses on whether or not it is ethical to harm or kill animals for the purposes of scientific research. Using animals for research affects the animals; alternative methods for scientific testing should be devised; this will have significant impact on scientific research.

Significant issues

Part three: Effect on animals

When used for research, animals suffer pain and loneliness; in some cases they die. This treatment is not fair on animals as it denies them their fundamental rights especially of freedom and socialization. Animals are social beings and should be let free and live their natural life. Subjecting them to scientific research and testing denies them fundamental rights and affects their way of life. Even if animals must be used, ethics and responsibility must be observed.

Part 4: Alternative methods for scientific research and testing

Other methods other than using animals should be utilized in scientific research and testing. When scientists use animals in research they do not ask for permission from the animals; this implies that it is done against the will of the animals (Research Animal Resources, 2014). Alternative methods should be applied in this case. For instance, people should be asked to volunteer or be paid a fee. This is would be more ethical because the research and testing will be done with the consent of the subjects.

Part 5: Impact on the scientific research industry

The research industry is affected by the perceptions of other stakeholders who monitor the way it handles animals. As the researchers go about their daily activities, other stakeholders particularly human rights activists are very interested to know how animals are treated. In most cases they criticize the industry and this really affects it. The scientific research industry is affected in such a way that it must adjust its processes to more ethical and responsible.

References

American Psychological Association. (2014). Committee on Animal Research and Ethics.

Research Animal Resources. (2014). Ethics and Alternatives. Retrieved 15th October, 20214 from http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/ethics.html