Free as a bird!
This week has handled a lot of interesting ethical questions regarding animal welfare – and rightly so! As managers or researchers frequently deal with live animals it becomes exceptionally important that we do not only understand what national or international law states and the conceptual origin of such, but perhaps most importantly – that we also formulate our own opinion which will guide us throughout our careers.
A classical question wherein it has been found that students seem to in about equal parts prefer both alternatives: “Is it, better that a large number of birds each receive one moderately painful procedure – or that one bird receives many procedures?”
Perhaps as a result of that schism, the swedish animal welfare law already states that it must always be the cost for the individual animal which is to be considered!
We’ve also covered how to systematize the development of ethical guidelines. One way to do it may be using the 3 R’s:
Replace – Is it possible to conduct this study without the use of research animals?
Reduce – Is it possible to use fewer animals to a satisfactory result?
Refine – Is it possible to change the way we handle the animal? Can we improve the procedure or perhaps even create simulations?