1. Seminar I: Ethical analysis of a study case
Research on animals
(Chapter 3)
Derar Al-smadi
Karthik Devaraj
Harri Geiger
Dorothee Vallot Lisa Toller

2. Presentation of the problem
First part
Presentation of the problem

3. Background on animal experiments
Purpose
Provides new knowledge
Benefits human being
For the sake of animals themselves
Paradox
“We use (non human) animals in experiments, because they are sufficiently like us (to achieve relevant results) – and since they are sufficiently different from us (to allow us to motivate the suffering we cause)”
Different values and norms for different times and cultures
How the responsability should be exercised?

4. Background on animal experiments
Common perception that animal experiments are needed for development and research
Ethics review
Harmonisation of EU research on animal welfare
Ethics comittees weight the expected importance of the experiment against the expected suffering of the animal
Swedish legislation only applicable in Swedish territory...

5. Study case
We strongly suspect that an endangered species have something that could possibly cure a dangerous prominent disease in humans. We are not allowed to do experiments with these animals in Sweden but we have collaborators from another project in another country where it could be allowed.

6. What to do? Pitch the idea abroad but not taking part in the research
Collaborate and make the experiments abroad
Not share the idea with anyone
Find an alternative to conduct this research

7. Second part
Analysis

8. Pitch the idea abroad but not taking part in the research
Ethical problems or conflicts?
Potential harm on ecosystem and animals but not by us
Research led by another group with less ethical restrictions
Who is affected and how?
Ecosystem and animals- by extinction of animal.
No research output for us and our institution
Potential benefits for human beings
Optimisation? Adaptation? Success?
Success for another group / our collaborators
Altruism

9. Collaborate and make the experiments abroad
Ethical problems or conflicts?
Experiments not allowed in Sweden but abroad (Moral problem but follows the law)
People suffering from the disease
Endangered species harvesting (ecosystem problems)
Animal suffering
Who is affected and how?
Beneficial for humans
Suffering of endangered species and risk of extinction
Own reputation amoung other researchers
Optimisation? Adaptation? Success?
Make empirical research on non-animal models to collect data before applying the research on animals
Minimize the number of animals used
Make sure the group abroad respects certain ethical rules

10. Not share the idea with anyone
Ethical problems or conflicts?
There will be no help to those suffering from the disease
No harm on animal neither ecosystem
Research potentially led by another group
worse animal suffering (if they have “worse” ideas on what is okay to do in the name of science)?
Credits to another group
Who is affected and how?
People suffering from the disease (no cure)
Authorities (will not have to take stand in the matter)
No research output and credits for the group
Optimisation? Adaptation? Success?
Discussion with trusted co-workers/study of literature could give new ideas on alternative research

11. Find an alternative to conduct this research
Ethical problems or conflicts?
Wasting valuable time to find another way even though a solution might be “around the corner”
There might not be another solution
Research potentially led by another group
worse animal suffering (if they have “worse” ideas on what is okay to do in the name of science)?
Credits to another group in the short-term
Who is affected and how?
People suffering from the disease (no short-term cure)
Research group might not find a good path
Optimisation? Adaptation? Success?
Advertisement of ethically sound research based on animal research
Funding to encourage more ideas not to harm ecosystem no animals
Computer models to increase the success probability

12. Values involved and effects on those?
Law and regulation
Morally sound
Animal suffering
Impact on environment / ecosystem
Fighting prominent disease
Own reputation
Institution benefits
Score
No sharing
No violation
Good for environment / ecosystem but not for humanity
No (except if someone else has the idea)
Endangered species not put at risk
No cure
No risk of bad reputation but no chance of fame No 9
Collaborate and make the experiments abroad
No obvious violation
Not good for environment/ecosystem but for humanity and conflicts with own/country values
Idirect implication in it
Endangered species put at risk
Potential short-term cure
risk of bad reputation amoung researchers but not for the public and chance of fame
Chance of more funding + collaboration but share of credits 7
Alternative to conduct the research
Good for environment / ecosystem but no short-term solution for humanity
No (except if someone else takes the idea)
Maybe long-term cure
Very good reputation amoung researchers and public but risk of never finding anything
Chance of more funding but risk of failure 11
Pitch the idea abroad
Not good for environment/ecosystem but for humanity
Not under our hands
but implication in it 6

13. Decision
We decide to find an alternative to the study!