• Question: what do you think about scientists that harm animals

    Asked by mairead boyle galway to Dervil, Moises, Pramod, Saoirse, Stephen on 15 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Dervil Cody

      Dervil Cody answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      I think that scientists will always avoid using animals in their experiments unless it is absolutely necessary. In fact, for any science that we do, we need to have it approved by an ethics committee, to show that its worthwhile and not unnecessarily harmful. If you plan to use animals, you really have to prove that it is worthwhile e.g. you are developing a drug that is likely to save people’s lives.

      Personally, I am glad that I don’t have to use animals in any way in my research. But, if there was a life saving drug or technique that in the future could save the life of a family member or friend which unfortunately needed animal testing, then it’s hard to argue against it.

    • Photo: Stephen Davitt

      Stephen Davitt answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      Personally I dont think there are any scientists who intend to harm animals, there are A LOT of rules and regulations about working with animals and most of them are to make sure that the animals do not get hurt or suffer.

      Now I understand that there is animal testing going on, and not of it can be ‘nice’ testing, even within my university! But only when deemed nessessary and important research that could really help the world. I do not like animal testing either but trust me when I say that the people who have to work with them don’t always like it either and they spend alot of time making sure that only the most important tests are actually done on live animals and none of them set out to harm the animals.

      It’s a very political part of science that we are trying to reduce and move towards a world where computer simulations do most of the tests, but sadly for the moment that has not fully happened.

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