Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Decision
Convict Edward Taub for animal cruelty?
Options
No
Yes
Suboptions
Give a warning;
Change the lab
procedures
Probation: monitor the
lab practices, but
allow research as is
Consequences
On the scientific side—change lab
practices; in effect recognize benefits
of animal testing under guidelines
Appease both research and animal
rights parties- establish a healthy
medium between moral and ethical
treatment and science
Uphold the MD laws of
animal rights, but also
establish health and safety
conditions/regulations
A development of a more
comprehensive, effective
organization to monitor
ethical treatment of
Animals
(i.e., APHIS-Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service )
Scientific/Medical
benefits from biomedical
research recognized, but laws
also Implemented
(i.e., Animal Welfare Act 1966)
Risk further animal
research, but uphold
animal rights; public opinion
ignited (i.e., PETA formed)
Figure 8.2-3 Event tree showing possible decision flow in Silver Spring Rhesus Monkey case.
and convicted Taub. We can show this logical progression
as a syllogism:
and if it is relevant, what humanity and justice permit us
to do with animals.''
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As we learn more about animal
neurophysiology and psychology it becomes harder to
argue that the values of justice and humanity are not ap-
plicable to animals, and do not merit ethical consideration.
One does not have to be a hardcore member of the Animal
Liberation Front to agree that some cases go beyond
the pale. Few would disagree that some studies are
clearly immoral, such as the studies done at the University
of Pennsylvania wherein baboons were rendered brain
dead from having their heads cemented to pistons that
whipped the brain at accelerations up to 2,000 times the
force of gravity, while researchers laughed while the pri-
mates were restrained, alert, and writhing before impact.
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However, most animal welfare cases are not so clear.
Factual premise
Animal research is
a powerful tool for scientific
and medical research, and
Taub's monkey-based
studies were intended to
study nerve regeneration
and recovery of crippled
limbs.
Fact-value premise
The animal subjects lived in
deplorable conditions and
were abused.
Evaluative premise
Even though animal
research is a powerful tool
for scientific and medical
research, abuse of animal
subjects in studies is morally
wrong.
Systematic reality check
Biomedical and biosystem engineers depend on animal
studies, and they are more likely than many to support
such research as a critical means toward a noble end. So,
then, how can engineers be objective and realistic about
matters where we are likely to have such a bias and con-
flicts of interests? One way is to do what engineers do best;
use the systematic approach.
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Start by gathering the
pertinent facts and identifying the uncertainties and data
gaps. Ethical problem solving is fraught with ambiguities
and assumptions, so it is crucial that decisions are based on
Evaluative conclusion
Therefore, Taub's studies,
while intended for research,
violate animals' rights and
are morally wrong.
Therefore, animal research goes beyond ''whether the
nonhuman nature of other animals is morally relevant,
