• Question: What do you think about scientists that harm animals in their work?

    Asked by shrimpyking to Andrew, Emma, Marianne on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by aliciarioswilks.
    • Photo: Andrew Maynard

      Andrew Maynard answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi shrimpyking,

      This is a tough one. I do believe that there’s some research where using animals is justified – if we are trying to develop a cure for a disease for instance, or trying to find out how to stop people being harmed by a substance. But I also think that there are important conditions that should be placed on animal studies – including making sure the research is necessary, asking whether there are non-animal alternatives, and treating the animals as humanely as possible.

      Most researchers are very responsible when it comes to using animals in their research – and there are strict guidelines that they have to follow to make sure the research is appropriate and carried out responsibly. And in many cases this research is essential to prevent people being harmed or suffering. At the same time, I think it is important that we try hard to minimize the use of animal experiments – and there are initiatives in Europe and the US to do just this.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Ah Shrimpyking. I recognise that name from many other questions. I like to think that scientists never set out with harming animals as their main goal. I won’t lie to you. Animals do get hurt in some scientific experiments but usually everything is done to ensure that they are comfortable (pain-killers and medicines, good food and bedding, temperature controlled rooms, disease prevention). It’s also true that animals can be put to sleep with anaesthetics so that they don’t know what’s happening to them. Then you can wake them up and let them carry on as normal. People have anaesthetics when they go to hospital to have operations which is pretty similar.

      Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion on this matter and in general I’m in favour of using animals in science as long as there are good laws to make sure that everything is done to prevent harm to animals and to find other ways to do experiments without animals.

      There’s a set of rules called the 3 R’s (replacement, refinement and reduction) and it’s hard to get money to do science unless you’ve thought about how you can use the least amount of animals, make the experiments as humane as possible and can prove that there’s no other way to do the experiment.

    • Photo: Marianne Baker

      Marianne Baker answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Hey shrimpyking

      First can I direct you to the following answers:
      /siliconj10-zone/2010/06/do-you-harm-animals-in-your-work

      /siliconj10-zone/2010/06/do-you-work-on-animals-dead-or-alive

      Animal testing is an unfortunate necessity in medical science.

      We simply don’t understand everything about how the body works yet, and if we want new drugs that are effective and safe, we just have to do it. I hope that the time will come, as soon as possible, when we don’t need to any more.

      I respect the people who look after our mice a lot. It’s a difficult job. I’d recommend this article in New Scientist for some insight: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726493.700-lab-animal-carers-suffer-in-silence.html

      People in science are often doing it because of their respect for life. So, I’m sure you can appreciate, we care a great deal about our lab animals.

      Indeed, I’ve seen a lot of disgusting animal cruelty in my life, but it’s always people and their pets. There are so many regulations around animal testing in the UK, they are looked after very well indeed and we give them as many creature comforts as we can!

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