While animal experimentation can be incredibly helpful in understanding man, and developing life saving drugs, there have been experiments which go well beyond the realms of ethics. The monkey drug trials of 1969 were one such case. In this experiment, a large group of monkeys and rats were trained to inject themselves with an assortment of drugs, including morphine, alcohol, codeine, cocaine, and amphetamines.
Once the animals were capable of self-injecting, they were left to their own devices with a large supply of each drug.The animals were so disturbed (as one would expect) that some tried so hard to escape that they broke their arms in the process. The monkeys taking cocaine suffered convulsions and in some cases tore off their own fingers (possible as a consequence of hallucinations), one monkey taking amphetamines tore all of the fur from his arm and abdomen, and in the case of cocaine and morphine combined, death would occur within 2 weeks.
The point of the experiment was simply to understand the effects of addiction and drug use; a point which, I think, most rational and ethical people would know did not require such horrendous treatment of animals.
Top 10 Unethical Phycological Experiments. Jamie. Frater (2007 - 2010). Retrieved on November 25, 2010 from http://listverse.com/2008/09/07/top-10-unethical-psychological-experiments/
Many people belive that the end result justifies these actions whilst some believe that unethical research is just plain wrong and can never be justified by the results. I believe tat unethical research should never be carried out unless the researcher is certain that the results obtained are of a much higher benefit than the detriment of hi or her unethical research. In the case above, Ibeleivethis resech to be cruel, unecessary and unjust, a much better way o carry his out would be to monitor rea humans who are allready addicted to drugs and ask for they're cosent to be monitored.
In conclusion unethical research is seen as a bad and wrong thing by todays society, however it is ultimately upto the researcher to determine what he or she thinks is justifiable for unethical practices based onthey're own morals and values.
Interesting post this one. This is exactly the type of animal research that is ethically wrong. If they were humans instead of monkeys then the research would never have taken place.
ReplyDeleteI think that research on animals is important as it allows peoples lives to be saved. However when the animals are suffering then that is when it is wrong. We would not carry out research on humans 9/10 times if we knew that the outcome would be harmful to the subjects. So to place animals under great amounts of stress and lead to the death of several in this case is unethical and morally wrong.
Extremely good post but very harsh on the animals. I do believe that this sort of research doesn't have to be on animals as in the World today there are many drug addicts etc and many who have recovered who can re account there experiences.
ReplyDeleteIn this case obviously the animals cannot speak out about ethics or sign any consent forms etc or even make there own decisions as to whether they wish to take part. This where laws etc have to come in to stop this sort of behaviour.
I agree with both off you, it is very wrong however in some cases it does need to be done and we do need to find information out through research. Using animals is very cruel but is there another option?
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