Abstract
This paper briefly examines some of the inconsistencies and distortions associated with Bowd’s (1980) opposition to psychological research on animals. By examining the vast amount of neglected animal suffering which occurs as a consequence of human existence, coupled with the potential benefits of animal research, we argue that the efforts of many animal rights advocates are misconstrued and misdirected. Moreover, the evolution of moral and ethical behavior in man may be such that it is not applicable to other species. While we do not condone needless suffering in animals and would welcome the suggestion of viable alternatives, we argue that there is far more of a moral imperative to continue to do animal research than to abandon it.
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BURGHARDT, G. M. Beyond conspecifics: Ethology and animal rights. Paper presented at the meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, New Orleans, June 1979.
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Gallup, G.G., Suarez, S.D. On the use of Animals in Psychological Research. Psychol Rec 30, 211–218 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394671
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394671