Current Ethical Issues Surrounding Animal Research

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly important to focus on the research and safety testing that precedes human clinical trials. This research is conducted in animals, and a segment of today's society vehemently and sometimes violently opposes this use. Both researchers and animal welfare groups agree that the appropriate care and use of animals, the avoidance of unnecessary duplication, and the use of non-animal models when possible are essential for an effective research program. The scientific community is proud of the drastic reduction in the total number of laboratory animals used today, thanks to new in vitro screening methods, and the refinement of traditional animal models. In spite of this encouraging reduction, animals are still needed in product safety testing, in education, and in basic research. While it is clear that the need for animals is present, research, along with other animal use, is under attack.