An Analysis of Ethical Concerns Occasioned by the Use of Animals in Exemplary Scientific Research: Diabetes as a Case Study

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A philosopher specializing in biomedical ethics and a biologist who directs a research laboratory in which research on diabetes is undertaken will study moral problems in the use of animals in scientific research which (a) targets widespread, debilitating diseases, (b) has a record of contributing to the understanding and management of the disease, and (c) operates according to professionally accepted humane standards. Much of the research on diabetes mellitus satisfies these conditions. Through a survey of current diabetological literature, the investigators will determine the patterns of usage of animal models in this research, and relate this to the outstanding questions investigators are currently pursuing. Using techniques of ethical analysis, they will attempt to identify the moral issues suggested by this use of animals and outline different strategies for responding to these questions -- from abolition of the research, through various proposals for replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use, to intensification of current efforts. They will display the implications of these strategies and assess which courses of action are the most defensible. Preliminary results will be sent for comment to outside experts and consultants. Project results will include presentations, papers and a monograph, and will be made available to a wide audience of interested persons and organizations. This project should make a timely, scholarly contribution to the professional and public discussion of issues surrounding uses of animals in research. The investigators are very well-qualified; institutional support is very good and costs, very reasonable. This is a good example of the kind of cross-disciplinary research EVS should encourage. Total support in the amount of $35,939 is recommended. Of that amount, half comes from the National Institutes of Health and is to be awarded this year. The remainder will be awarded next fiscal year.