Most lab animals never know the outside world. Most of these animals (rats, monkeys, etc.) are sacrificed - a term referencing the killing of an animal subject in a laboratory - for the betterment of science and humanity. This sacrifice raises many questions about the ethics and humaneness of scientific research. Can animals feel pain? Can animals feel fear? Would an animal with the cognitive ability to reason, if given a choice, choose to be sacrificed for the advancement of science and technology? The field of research ethics deals with a lot of "what if" situations in order to anticipate any ethical snafus regarding the treatment of laboratory animals.
In the video below, chimps born and raised in a medical research facility see the sunlight for the first time in 30 years during their release into Gut Aiderbichl, a sanctuary in Austria. Their reactions (almost human in nature, eh?), raise a multitude of questions about the ability of animals to feel emotion on the same level and degree as humans.
When Emily Anthes, science journalist and author of Frankenstein's Cat: Cuddling Up To Biotech's Brave New Beasts, spoke at Loyola University Chicago's Neuroscience Society's 4th annual neuroscience banquet on November 2nd, 2013, about a few recent advancements in genetically modified animals and some current advancements in animal biotech, she raised some questions about the obligations that humans might have to animals during our quest to advance our own species. In addition, she raised a few questions about the ethics of animal research and the complications that arise from providing animals with heightened senses and higher consciousness.
Aside from possible future scenarios proposed by Emily and others, some humans already consider some animals to be people. The (in)famous animal rights organization, PETA, and other groups filed a constitutional lawsuit petitioning the United States government to award citizenship to five Orca whales enclosed at a Seaworld in Orlando, FL. These activists claimed that the use and confinement of these whales violated the 13th amendment. The lawsuit was eventually put down, on the claim that the 13th amendment applies only to humans. Though the lawsuit failed, this may be the first suit of many to be filed in defense of the maintenance and restoration of animal rights.
Some animals have already achieved a status comparable to human citizenship. Specifically, military dogs often accompany soldiers into battle, diffusing and locating roadside IEDs, sniffing out adversaries, and locating trapped civilians and distressed allies. Dogs are also used in the modern day police force to perform many of the same duties as military dogs. These animals are often awarded military honors - especially upon their death. Amazingly, about 10% of these military dogs are believed to suffer from canine post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are given many of the same treatments as humans with the disorder - though animals are often considered easier to treat.
What I gained from Anthes' discussion on animal biotech and the ethics of animal research, and what I've tried to touch on here, is that the field of animal research and biotech is developing at such a rate that ethics is struggling to keep up. Worldwide, there are a multitude of cases of animals exhibiting human-esque behavior. In her book, Anthes attempts to highlight these cases while still vouching for the importance of (humane) research with animal subjects. In conclusion, we, as humans, should be mindful of the organisms we share the Earth with, and maintain a level of equal respect and consideration when performing animal research... Because, you know, animals have feelings too.
http://www.uswardogs.org/
http://www.statesforbiomed.org/content/animal-welfare-and-animal-rights
http://www.apa.org/research/responsible/animal/index.aspx
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