1. Animal & Human Experimentation

2. Humans utilize animals in many ways.  More than 95% of animals are used for food & clothing  Research = small percentage  Is the use of animals in research, teaching, and other potentially harmful endeavors justified by the outcomes?

3. Should animals be excluded from research that only gives “basic knowledge?” –Even “basic” research applies to clinical situations.  Most research applications are unknown when research begins, and its applications are not always good. (atomic bombs, chemical warfare) –Understanding disease requires first understanding the “normal” functioning  To understand disease (mental/physical) we must understand the workings of the body.

4. Should research use mathematical models instead of animals? –Even the best models cannot predict how the complete organism behaves.

5. Minimizing Pain  Surgical Anesthesia  Use of electrical shock is infrequent and mild.  Most research seeks to avoid pain to animal subjects –Concern for animal subject’s welfare –Legal regulations (APA) –Unnecessary discomfort is an experimental confound.

6. Some pain is intentional.  Examples: research on pain, head or spinal injuries, tumors, painful human diseases, veterinary medicine  Some experiments seek to understand pain and the neuropsychological mechanisms that govern it.  Consider the alternatives?

7. APA Guidelines/Humans  Informed Consent  May not be coerced, free to withdraw at anytime.  Minimize physical and mental discomfort, harm, and danger.  Deception must be justifiable (debriefed)  Confidentiality  Must honor any commitments made  Researcher must detect & remove any undesirable consequences.