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[Transgenic animals and animal welfare]
1SAAT (Swiss Alternatives to Animal Testing), CH-Bertschikon-Zürich und Fachstelle Gentechnologie und Tierversuche, Schweizer Tierschutz STS, CH-Basel.
ALTEX
|February 24, 2001
Summary
This paper discusses the ethical debate surrounding transgenic animals in Swiss biomedical research. It argues for an animal welfare evaluation considering both suffering and potential benefits, even if it leads to bans.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Ethics
- Animal Welfare Science
- Genetic Engineering
Background:
- Public debate in Switzerland (June 1998) on banning transgenic animals.
- Swiss legislation (1992) includes a constitutional "dignity of creatures" obligation.
- Legal implications of "dignity of creatures" for transgenic organisms are being formulated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide arguments for a fair evaluation of transgenic animals.
- To balance animal suffering against potential benefits for human health.
- To address the ethical considerations in biomedical research and development.
Main Methods:
- Ethical analysis of transgenic animal use.
- Animal welfare assessment framework.
- Cost-benefit analysis considering suffering and utility.
Main Results:
- A framework for evaluating transgenic animals from an animal welfare perspective is proposed.
- The evaluation must consider both the costs of animal suffering and the probability of benefits.
- The research community should embrace such evaluations, regardless of potential outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A balanced ethical evaluation is crucial for the responsible use of transgenic animals.
- Animal welfare and potential human benefit must be weighed in research decisions.
- Open evaluation procedures are necessary, even if they restrict certain applications.