ALTEX :: Alternatives to Animal Experiments

1994, Volume 1

About the Question of Ethical Admissibility Versus Unadmissability of Animal Tests in Basic Research

Gotthard M. Teutsch

D-Bayreuth

SUMMARY

When discussing responsibility for laboratory animals, always and again people refer to the Swiss self-commitment "Ethical principles and guidelines about scientific animal tests". This is justified, as item no. 4.6 of that text contains--among other many comparable codices--the remarkable claim to dispense with animal tests and the hoped-for findings if the test leads to unavoidable serious suffering of laboratory animals. Very characteristic examples for such tests are those conducted without anesthesia, because the findings sought after can only be derived from the reaction of the non-anaesthetized animal. Therefore the obvious question arises whether the sacrifice ought to be commenced in basic research. Good will towards good care of our fellow creatures would, by this, assume more concrete forms and gain power of persuasion.

Keywords: animal testing, ethics, responsibility, suffering