Veterinary Ethics and the Use of Animals in Research

Animal models for human disease – reflections from an animal researcher’s perspective

“…In between these extreme positions is a third position that comprises a continuum of viewpoints held by representatives of various philosophical frameworks (and apparently the majority of the population): that animals have some moral status although of a lesser degree than the moral status of humans-which allows the use of animals with varying levels of limitations. This continuum of viewpoints reflects differences in philosophical standpoints, as well as differences in cultural, socio-economic and religious backgrounds (Legood 2000;Gilbert et al 2005). Even within a philosophical framework, views on the moral status of animals are often debated.…”