Abstract

TELLEZ BALLESTEROS, Elizabeth  and  VANDA CANTON, Beatriz. Ethical issues in the generation of knowledge in biomedical research using non-human animals. Rev. Bioética y Derecho [online]. 2020, n.49, pp.173-189.  Epub Oct 19, 2020. ISSN 1886-5887.

The use of animals to obtain knowledge and develop treatments for human diseases is justified by arguing that they are like us, yet their interests are ignored by emphasizing that they are not similar to us, which is considered a double moral standard in science. Millions of animals are subjected to pain and suffering, even when there is no certainty that a real benefit will be obtained. Sometimes extrapolation is not successful, results are invalid, not applicable or even never published. Then, how ethical and valid are the methods we use to achieve our goals? We propose animals should be considered as a vulnerable group and to extend them some of the ethical principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Keywords : biomedical research; value of knowledge; harm-benefit; animal experimentation; speciesism; ethical double-standard; Helsinki principles.

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