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Journal article
Ethical and Scientific Pitfalls Concerning Laboratory Research with Non-Human Primates, and Possible Solutions
Animals (Basel), Vol.9(1), 12
2018
PMID: 30597951
Abstract
Simple Summary Legislation and guidelines governing biomedical research with humans and non-human primates (NHPs) rely on different ethical frameworks. In this paper we argue that the main ethical framework used to assess and justify NHP experimentation is inadequate for its purpose. We propose a change of framework that we believe would benefit NHPs and improve research quality.
Abstract Basic and applied laboratory research, whenever intrusive or invasive, presents substantial ethical challenges for ethical committees, be it with human beings or with non-human animals. In this paper we discuss the use of non-human primates (NHPs), mostly as animal models, in laboratory based research. We examine the two ethical frameworks that support current legislation and guidelines: deontology and utilitarianism. While human based research is regulated under deontological principles, guidelines for laboratory animal research rely on utilitarianism. We argue that the utilitarian framework is inadequate for this purpose: on the one hand, it is almost impossible to accurately predict the benefits of a study for all potential stakeholders; and on the other hand, harm inflicted on NHPs (and other animals) used in laboratory research is extensive despite the increasing efforts of ethics committees and the research community to address this. Although deontology and utilitarianism are both valid ethical frameworks, we advocate that a deontological approach is more suitable, since we arguably have moral duties to NHPs. We provide suggestions on how to ensure that research currently conducted in laboratory settings shifts towards approaches that abide by deontological principles. We assert that this would not impede reasonable scientific research.
Details
- Title
- Ethical and Scientific Pitfalls Concerning Laboratory Research with Non-Human Primates, and Possible Solutions
- Authors/Creators
- Constanca Carvalho - University of LisbonAugusta Gaspar - Universidade Católica PortuguesaAndrew Knight - University of WinchesterLuis Vicente - University of Lisbon
- Publication Details
- Animals (Basel), Vol.9(1), 12
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- UID/FIL/00678/2013 / CFCUL research unit funding Animalfree Research Foundation (Switzerland) Catolica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing (CRC-W) UID/FIL/00678/2013 / Portuguese National Funds through CFCUL research unit funding Ketty and Leif Hjordt Foundation
- Identifiers
- 991005694749807891
- Copyright
- © 2018 by the authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology
- 3.35.693 Primate Behavior
- Web Of Science research areas
- Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
- Veterinary Sciences
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science