The Consideration of Ethical Principles Noted in Terms of Using Laboratory Animals

Animal utility in the field of medicine and laboratory sciencse has always been common throughout human history. Regarding animals as creatures incapable of thinking or feeling has led scientists to use them without any moral criteria. Today, however, what turns out to be a challenging issue is the new set of scientific and moral concerns that reflect the unpleasant outcomes of such uses of animals. At present, use of alternative methods instead of animal utility, reduction in the number of animals used for experimental purposes as well as application of methods that meet animal welfare demands either before, during or after conducting the experiments are some of the major issues that come up along with the discussion on the method of conducting an experiment and its authenticity. Behavioral and moral codes concerning laboratory animals - alternatives- have been introduced as solutions to achieve such objectives. In this paper, through proposing and defining such codes, we have tried to give an overall picture of their nature and ultimate objectives so that the extent to which they can prove applicable and effective becomes clear. Rapid improvement of science and technology and the need human beiy to verify the scientific authenticity and immunity of these methods clarify the necessity of animal use in experimental processes. In this regard, novel alternative methods can render such uses methodical. Today, however, due to many limitations, we do not have the means to apply them to the optimum efficiency level. At any rate, it is expected that through excessive efforts to apply such methods, we can reduce the rate of animal use in labs and hence, witness the use of limited number of animals in better conditions arranged to meet animal welfare demands.