Ethics of research involving animals
Mon, 17 March 2003
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics today announced a new Working Party to consider the ethics of research involving animals.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics today announced a new Working Party to consider the ethics of research involving animals.
There is considerable discomfort about the use of animals in research, but also a widespread acceptance of the need to do more medical research, which currently involves the use of animals. “We believe there is a need for a rigorous ethical debate on the topic. We recognise that people feel very deeply about research involving animals and we hope to engage with these concerns,” commented Baroness Perry of Southwark, Chair of the Working Party.
The members of the Working Party bring a variety of perspectives to the discussion of this controversial topic, with backgrounds including animal welfare, philosophy, science, law and veterinary practice. The range of expertise will allow an open and informed debate of the issues. The Working Party will also hold a series of fact-finding meetings and will consult with the public using a variety of methods during the summer of 2003.
A major focus of the Working Party will be on the increasing use of genetically modified (GM) animals. The number of GM animals used in research has risen tenfold in the last decade and the welfare implications for animals which have been designed for particular research purposes will be considered.
Fundamental questions will be discussed. Does research involving animals yield information which is applicable to humans? Are there valid alternatives? Are there morally relevant distinctions between different species such as mosquitoes, mice and monkeys? If so, how should these differences be reflected in regulations? Can the welfare of different animals be reliably assessed?
The Council expects to publish a Report on the topic in early 2005.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information please contact:
Nicola Perrin on 020 7681 9627 or e-mail nperrin@nuffieldbioethics.org
2. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is an independent body which examines the ethical issues raised by developments in medicine and biology. Established in 1991, it is funded by The Nuffield Foundation, the Medical Research Council and The Wellcome Trust.
3. Membership of Working Party
Baroness Perry of Southwark (Chairman)
Member of the House of Lords and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Surrey
Professor Allan Bradley FRS
Director, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Centre, Cambridge
Professor Steve Brown
Director, MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Mouse Genome Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell
Professor Grahame Bulfield
former Director of the Roslin Institute, currently Vice-Principal and Head of College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh
Professor Kenneth Boyd
Professor of Medical Ethics, University of Edinburgh
Dr Mark Matfield
Executive Director, The Research Defence Society
Dr Judy MacArthur Clark
Chair, Farm Animal Welfare Council
Professor Ian McConnell
Professor of Veterinary Science, Centre for Veterinary Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Dr Maggy Jennings
Head of Research Animals Department Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Professor Barry Keverne
Director of sub-department of Animal Behaviour, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Professor Martin Raff FRS
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London and member of the Nuffield Council
Mr Nick Ross
Broadcaster and member of the Nuffield Council
Dr Lewis Smith
Syngenta CTL
Professor John Spencer
Professor of Law, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge
Ms Michelle Thew
Chief Executive, The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection
Professor Jonathan Wolff
Department of Philosophy, University College London
4. Terms of reference
1. To review recent, current and prospective developments in the scientific use of non-human animals, including genetic modification or cloning;
2. To assess the ethical implications of these developments, and, in doing so, to consider arguments about the differing status of various non-human animals and the implications of such arguments on their use in research;
3. To examine ways of assessing the costs and benefits of the scientific use of non-human animals;
4. To assess ways of regulating and enhancing good practice;
5. To assess the ethical implications of using alternatives to animals in different fields of research;
6. To identify and review developments and differences internationally in the use of animals in research and its regulation;
7. To explore ways of stimulating public debate and providing information and education about the issues involved.
5. There have been a number of other reports in the field recently, for example the report by the House of Lords Animals in Scientific Procedures Committee to which the Government responded in January 2003. However, as in the case of many other reports, the ethical issues of using animals for research have not been central to this examination.
Last Updated Fri, 13 August 2004