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There are two schools of thought regarding the relative value of human life versus the relative value of animal life. One school of thought makes little distinction between the value of human life and animal life - this is the foundation of the philosophy of animal rights. The other school of thought has determined a significant distinction between humans and animals, which can be broken down into the following reasonings:
1. Religious - God/Deity/Allah/the gods have made humans as superior to animals, therefore animals are inferior to humans. Also, many religious traditions hold that animals do not have souls but humans do. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to perform tests on animals that would be unacceptable to perform on humans, such as deliberately severing the lower spinal cord to test a novel treatment for spinal cord trauma. A major flaw in this is the observation that religious traditions around the world vary greatly in their description of the origin of humans, the place of humans in the world and the value of animals (certain animals in particular) in relation to humans.
2. Cognitive - Humans have a markedly superior ability to reason, think symbolically (such as through language and music), have the most complex inter-organism verbal and non-verbal communication and overall tend to have the highest level of cognitive ability. Because of this, it makes sense to treat humans as different than animals, because animals can't think as well as humans; putting animals through medical testing is OK because they can't understand it anyway. A major flaw in this is the observation that not all humans have significant cognitive abilities - babies born with severe cerebral malformations, elders with advanced Alzheimer's, etc, yet it is not acceptable to perform medical testing on these individuals (currently, in the US; other times and locations may vary).
3. Speciesism - We are human, all other animals are not human and therefore we can do to other species what we are not willing to do to our own species. This makes for a very clear-cut division, but has been opposed with the comparison between this stance and older stances against humans of African descent (seen as subhuman for centuries by Europeans and treated as such), women, humans of Asian descent, humans of various sexual orientation and identity, etc. In other words, speciesism is just another form of discrimination, on par with racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.
What else can I help you with?
Is it ethical to use animals in medical experiments?
Animal activists would disagree that it is ethical to use animals in medical experiments. Those who are against using animals for the purpose of medical experiments typically feel very strongly about this cause.
What duties might a medical ethicist perform?
A medical ethicist may assist healthcare professionals in making ethical decisions, develop institutional policies and guidelines on ethical issues, educate staff and patients on ethical principles, and conduct research on ethical dilemmas in healthcare.
Medical Experiments conducted on plants and animals?
Is done because plants and animals can't consent or object. Just food of thought, I am wondering if Prisoners are considered Lab Rats, if this question could pertain to them as well? I suppose the same answer would apply.
Disadvantages of using animals in medical tests?
Some disadvantages of using animals in medical tests are the animals are held captive or killed, it is costly, the substances tested may never be used and the differences between animals and humans. A few advantages are researchers are able to find drugs and drugs are ensured to be safe.
Should animal be used for scientific medical research?
Animal testing for scientific medical research is a controversial issue. While it has contributed to many significant medical advancements, there are ethical concerns regarding the treatment of animals. It is important to continue exploring alternative methods and technologies that may reduce the need for animal testing.
What is a medical ethicist?
A person who decides if something is morally ethical in a hospital.
Why are ethics and ethical leadership important in the medical field?
Ethics and ethical leadership are important in the medical field in order to serve patients well. Unethical leaders take shortcuts that endanger the lives of the patients.
What has the author A O Adesola written?
A. O. Adesola has written: 'The academic medical centre' -- subject(s): Experimental Medicine, Human experimentation in medicine, Law and legislation, Medical ethics, Medical research, Medicine, Experimental, Moral and ethical aspects, Moral and ethical aspects of Medical research
What has the author Dena S Davis written?
Dena S. Davis has written: 'Genetic dilemmas' -- subject(s): Human reproductive technology, Medical genetics, Moral and ethical aspects, Moral and ethical aspects of Human reproductive technology, Moral and ethical aspects of Medical genetics
Ethical standards that apply to the medical profession are set by what entity?
professional organization
What are some of the ethical issues surrounding the development and use of medical technology?
your a bollock
What has the author Christian Lenk written?
Christian Lenk has written: 'Biobanks and tissue research' -- subject(s): Wissenschaftsethik, Tissue banks, Moral and ethical aspects, Gewebebank, Sozialethik, Biobanks, Biological specimens 'Therapie und Enhancement' -- subject(s): Bioethics, Medical ethics, Medical innovations, Moral and ethical aspects, Moral and ethical aspects of Medical innovations, Moral and ethical aspects of Perfection, Moral and ethical aspects of Therapeutics, Perfection, Therapeutics 'Human tissue research' -- subject(s): Tissue engineering, Law and legislation, Biomedical engineering, Moral and ethical aspects, Research
