Nowadays experimenting with and especially on animals seems to be the norm not everyone likes to discuss about: Animals like mice, dogs, cats, monkeys, fish, guinea pigs and rats are used in laboratories to develop general biological and anatomical knowledge, verify chemical substances, test make up products (outside Germany), or even test new medicines and drugs to calculate the consequences for human beings, who have a similar DNA structure. The used animals differ from their free relatives as laboratory rodents are bred to have the characteristics they need to serve society and fulfill their morally questionable purpose. Three million laboratory animals have to die yearly as a consequence of experiments in Germany. The number is far less then the number of slaughtered animals, who die for the meat production. In 2015 1.2 million people demonstrated in front of the EU Parliament; not to intensify the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act but to finally stop experimenting on animals. In other countries of the world, for example the USA, well-known organizations like PETA fight to stop animal-testing.
Table of Contents
- Take Home
- Poem to my Litter
- The 3R-Principle
- The VW Scandal
- Animal Models
- Ethical Considerations
Objectives and Key Themes
This text explores the use of laboratory animals, specifically mice, in scientific research. It aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the ethical considerations surrounding animal testing, highlighting the moral dilemmas, scientific justifications, and potential alternatives to animal models.
- The use of laboratory animals in research and its ethical implications
- The "3R-Principle" as a framework for ethical animal testing
- Alternative methods to animal testing, including computer models and organ-on-a-chip technology
- The role of public awareness and education in shaping attitudes towards animal testing
- The impact of scientific research on the lives of both humans and animals
Chapter Summaries
- Take Home: This section introduces the topic of animal testing and its prevalence in modern research. It highlights the use of mice, specifically due to their genetic similarities with humans, and the ethical concerns surrounding their use in experiments.
- Poem to my Litter: The author delves into the personal experience of Max Ritvo, a young man who used mice as models to study his cancer. This section explores Ritvo's conflicting emotions towards the mice, acknowledging their suffering while holding onto hope for a cure.
- The 3R-Principle: The text explores the "3R-Principle" as a guideline for ethical animal testing, advocating for the replacement of animal models with alternatives, reduction of animal use in experiments, and refinement of experimental techniques to minimize animal suffering.
- The VW Scandal: This section reveals a recent ethical controversy involving the automotive company Volkswagen, which conducted experiments on monkeys to assess the impact of exhaust emissions. It highlights the devastating consequences of the experiment, the fraudulent attempts to cover up the findings, and the ongoing legal repercussions.
- Animal Models: The text examines the use of animals as models for scientific research, focusing on the selection criteria and the rationale for choosing rodents, particularly mice. It addresses the advantages and disadvantages of using animal models, considering factors such as cost, reproducibility, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of living organisms for research purposes.
Keywords
This text focuses on key topics like animal experimentation, laboratory mice, the 3R-Principle, ethical considerations, alternative methods, public awareness, and the impact of scientific research on animal welfare. Other important concepts include the use of animal models, the Volkswagen emissions scandal, and the ongoing debate surrounding the moral justification of animal testing.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Rashida Thielhorn (Autor:in), 2018, "Poem to my Litter" by Max Ritvo. An Analysis about Laboratory Mice and their Misuse, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/457684
