Animals in Research: Is It Ethical?

There has been some research in which electric shock or some other type of unpleasant or aversive treatment has been administered to animals. In recent years, this type of research has been brought to the public’s attention by animal rights groups opposed to such research and to improper care of laboratory animals. Such research is extremely rare, however, and psychologist argue that it is conducted only when there is no alternative way to study the behavior when applications of the research justify the nature of the experimetn. Only about 7 to 8 percent of all psychological research is done animals, and 90 percent of that is done with rats and mice. In most institutions where animal research is conducted, animal care committes are established to ensure proper treatment of research animals, to review projects, and to set guidelines that are in accordance with the APA standards for the care and treatment of research animals.

Most studies involving animals consist of naturalistic observation or learning experiments using rewards rather than punishment. Animals are used instead of humans because time requirements (as in sudies of aging), risk, or othjer conditions make it impossible to use humans. Animal research has benefited humans in many ways. Research on learning in rats and pigeons has led to the development of programmed learning materials. Research in taching sign language to chimps and gorillas has led to a better understanding of the structure of human language.

Research involving the effects of drugs on unborn animals has demonstrated the risks of maternal alcohol. More natural environments have been created for zoo animals, successful breeding techniques have beeen developed for endangered species, and more effective training techniques have been developed for pets and wild animals in captivity. Despite the benefits of animal research, the use of animals in psychological research will continue to be an ethical problem for psychologist in the future.