TY - JOUR
T1 - The ethics of experiments on higher animals
AU - Ross, Michael W.
PY - 1981/3
Y1 - 1981/3
N2 - It has been demonstrated over the last decade that some higher animals can learn sign language and communicate with humans. This finding radically alters some earlier conceptions of animals as being non-sentient, and forces a re-evaluation of the use of higher animals in research. The ethics of using animals are examined in this paper in relation to postulated levels of consciousness, and in relation to experimental design and experimental goals. In particular, an attempt is made to classify experimental situations with regard to potential psychological trauma, and to examine in detail the ethics of using higher animals in psychological research and situations in which such use can be justified. Analysis concentrates on the scientific ramifications of ethical use of animals, and concludes that in the majority of cases, ethical treatment and scientific approach are synonymous.
AB - It has been demonstrated over the last decade that some higher animals can learn sign language and communicate with humans. This finding radically alters some earlier conceptions of animals as being non-sentient, and forces a re-evaluation of the use of higher animals in research. The ethics of using animals are examined in this paper in relation to postulated levels of consciousness, and in relation to experimental design and experimental goals. In particular, an attempt is made to classify experimental situations with regard to potential psychological trauma, and to examine in detail the ethics of using higher animals in psychological research and situations in which such use can be justified. Analysis concentrates on the scientific ramifications of ethical use of animals, and concludes that in the majority of cases, ethical treatment and scientific approach are synonymous.
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U2 - 10.1016/0271-5392(81)90026-5
DO - 10.1016/0271-5392(81)90026-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 11655144
AN - SCOPUS:1642444683
SN - 0271-5392
VL - 15
SP - 51
EP - 60
JO - Social Science and Medicine. Part F Medical and Social Ethics
JF - Social Science and Medicine. Part F Medical and Social Ethics
IS - 1
ER -