Mousetraps and how to avoid them: the convergence of utilitarian and scientific cases for limiting the mouse model in biomedical research

Cynthia Townley; Brett A. Lidbury

Mousetraps and how to avoid them: the convergence of utilitarian and scientific cases for limiting the mouse model in biomedical research

Cynthia Townley, Brett A. Lidbury

Department of Philosophy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The primary aim of biomedical research is to discover and develop new knowledge to advance human medicine. Frequently a ‘mouse model’ is taken to be a necessary step towards understanding a disease, biological mechanism or intervention. We argue for caution with respect to the mouse model: theoretical reasons, meta-analyses of empirical data, and viable alternatives all support a more restricted use of animals in laboratories than that which is presented in current practice. On its own terms, a utilitarian scientific justification for using animals in biomedical research converges more closely with welfarist claims than is usually recognised.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	59-74
Number of pages	16
Journal	Between the species
Volume	15
Issue number	1
Publication status	Published - 2012

Bibliographical note

Copyright 2012 Between the Species. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher and copyright conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Access to Document

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 306 KBLicence: Unspecified

Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Mousetraps and how to avoid them: the convergence of utilitarian and scientific cases for limiting the mouse model in biomedical research'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this

@article{b004ea7127cc44b68edb11e00c76b0cf,

title = "Mousetraps and how to avoid them: the convergence of utilitarian and scientific cases for limiting the mouse model in biomedical research",

abstract = "The primary aim of biomedical research is to discover and develop new knowledge to advance human medicine. Frequently a {\textquoteleft}mouse model{\textquoteright} is taken to be a necessary step towards understanding a disease, biological mechanism or intervention. We argue for caution with respect to the mouse model: theoretical reasons, meta-analyses of empirical data, and viable alternatives all support a more restricted use of animals in laboratories than that which is presented in current practice. On its own terms, a utilitarian scientific justification for using animals in biomedical research converges more closely with welfarist claims than is usually recognised.",

author = "Cynthia Townley and Lidbury, {Brett A.}",

note = "Copyright 2012 Between the Species. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher and copyright conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.",

year = "2012",

language = "English",

volume = "15",

pages = "59--74",

journal = "Between the species",

issn = "1945-8487",

publisher = "California Polytechnic State University",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mousetraps and how to avoid them

T2 - the convergence of utilitarian and scientific cases for limiting the mouse model in biomedical research

AU - Townley, Cynthia

AU - Lidbury, Brett A.

N1 - Copyright 2012 Between the Species. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher and copyright conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - The primary aim of biomedical research is to discover and develop new knowledge to advance human medicine. Frequently a ‘mouse model’ is taken to be a necessary step towards understanding a disease, biological mechanism or intervention. We argue for caution with respect to the mouse model: theoretical reasons, meta-analyses of empirical data, and viable alternatives all support a more restricted use of animals in laboratories than that which is presented in current practice. On its own terms, a utilitarian scientific justification for using animals in biomedical research converges more closely with welfarist claims than is usually recognised.

AB - The primary aim of biomedical research is to discover and develop new knowledge to advance human medicine. Frequently a ‘mouse model’ is taken to be a necessary step towards understanding a disease, biological mechanism or intervention. We argue for caution with respect to the mouse model: theoretical reasons, meta-analyses of empirical data, and viable alternatives all support a more restricted use of animals in laboratories than that which is presented in current practice. On its own terms, a utilitarian scientific justification for using animals in biomedical research converges more closely with welfarist claims than is usually recognised.

M3 - Article

VL - 15

SP - 59

EP - 74

JO - Between the species

JF - Between the species

SN - 1945-8487

IS - 1

ER -