July 19, 2019 Last week we wrote about US legislative and other efforts that address research with nonhuman animals, particularly that conducted by federal agencies. Together those efforts have generated several federally funded workshops, panels, and committees over the past several years. Scientists, policymakers, advocates, and bioethicists have talked, written, and otherwise participated in discussions, … Continue reading A roadmap for a public discussion of the ethics of animal research
Tag: Peter Singer
Was Jeremy Bentham an Antivivisectionist?
In this post we look at whether or not Jeremy Bentham, an eminent 18th and 19th century English philosopher, was opposed to animal experiments. Ahead of his time in many areas, Bentham advocated for freedom of expression, abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, and the separation of church and state. His Utilitarian philosophy has … Continue reading Was Jeremy Bentham an Antivivisectionist?
Jeffrey Kahn’s Odd Views on Animal Research
Professor Jeffrey Kahn visited UW Madison to discuss the use of monkeys in medical research. He is the Robert Henry Levi and Ryda Hecht Levi Professor of Bioethics and Public Policy and the Deputy Director for Policy and Administration at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Professor Kahn has participated in numerous federal panels … Continue reading Jeffrey Kahn’s Odd Views on Animal Research
Crash course in medical history
Opponents of animal research often portray two of the pioneers of experimental physiology, François Magendie (1783-1855) and his student Claude Bernard (1813-1878), as deranged, vicious, and sadistic individuals who derived pleasure in harming animals. Moral philosophers Peter Singer and Lori Gruen convey this sort of message in their book “Animal Liberation: A graphic guide”. A … Continue reading Crash course in medical history
You cannot avoid Speciesism
Speciesism is "the practice of treating members of one species as morally more important than members of other species". It is both unavoidable and necessary.
(Some) animal rights philosophers say the darndest things!
Cheryl Abbate is a self-described feminist, philosopher and military officer. She is currently a Philosophy PhD student at Marquette University and obtained her MA in Philosophy with Bernard Rollin at Colorado State University. She was one of the animal rights activists who asked me questions during the discussion of my talk at UW Madison. Ms. Abbate … Continue reading (Some) animal rights philosophers say the darndest things!
Lori Gruen on the Ethical Justification of Animal Research Experiments
Prof. Lori Gruen gave an interesting talk this week at the University of Wisconsin at Madison on Animal Research and the Limits of Medicine. You can watch her presentation and discussion here. She appealed to those engaged in animal research to offer a more detailed explanation of how the cost and benefits of individual experiments … Continue reading Lori Gruen on the Ethical Justification of Animal Research Experiments
The moral relevance of human intelligence
Animal rights proponents often assert that “sentience” is the only morally relevant characteristic. In their view, we owe the same moral consideration to all sentient living beings, which must include the same basic rights to life and freedom. The animal rights philosopher asks -- Why does it matter if humans can compose a violin concerto … Continue reading The moral relevance of human intelligence
