Ethics in Animal Research Flashcards

What is the ethical significance of environmental enrichment?

Answer: It fulfills the obligation to provide for behavioral and psychological needs, not just survival

Enrichment reflects the principle that animals deserve care addressing behavioral and psychological well-being, not merely physical survival.

What ethical challenge does the use of genetically modified animals present?

Answer: Concerns about creating animals predisposed to suffering, welfare of founder animals, and managing surplus

GM animals raise concerns including intentionally creating disease models that suffer, welfare of founders during generation, and managing non-carrier surplus animals.

Why is public transparency about animal research ethically important?

Answer: Because openness builds public trust, ensures accountability, and reflects confidence in ethical standards

Transparency demonstrates accountability, allows public scrutiny, builds trust, and enables informed discourse about animal research.

What is the ethical justification for using death as an endpoint only when absolutely necessary?

Answer: Death causes maximal suffering and should be replaced with earlier humane endpoints when possible

Death endpoints subject animals to maximum suffering. Ethical practice requires using humane endpoints to euthanize before death when possible.

How does harm-benefit analysis apply to IACUC protocol review?

Answer: It weighs potential harm to animals against anticipated scientific or societal benefits

This ethical process weighs expected pain and suffering against anticipated scientific knowledge and medical advances. Research is justified only when benefits outweigh harms.

What ethical principle supports requiring only trained personnel to perform procedures?

Answer: Technical competence directly reduces animal pain and suffering

Technical skill directly affects welfare — skilled handlers cause less pain and distress than untrained individuals, aligning with Refinement.