Research Ethics Chapter 9: Animal Rights

Study Notes

Defined as the examination of moral implications concerning treatment of animals.
Analyzes the appropriateness of using animals in research and other contexts.
Discusses moral responsibilities of humans towards non-human animals.

Refers to the overall quality of life for animals, emphasizing humane treatment.
Key elements impacting animal welfare include nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state.
Human interactions play a crucial role in animal welfare management.

Nutrition: Adequate access to balanced and clean food and water.
Environment: Comfort through appropriate temperature, space, and sound levels.
Health: Maintaining good health and fitness while preventing disease and injury.
Behavior: Opportunities for natural behaviors like foraging and play.
Mental State: Encouraging positive emotional states, while minimizing negative experiences.

Malaysia has had a national animal welfare law since 1953, criticized for inadequate implementation.
2015 revision strengthened protections and increased penalties for abuse.
Current focus remains on animal welfare rather than rights.

Aimed at controlling animal disease spread, regulating movement, slaughter, and preventing cruelty.

Animal experimentation faced criticism for causing suffering without justified benefits for humans.
Other contentious practices include raising animals for food, fur, hunting, entertainment, and pet-keeping.

Involves testing theories or treatments on living individuals outside of standard medical practices.

Outlined by the National Committee for Clinical Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Anonymized Tissues/Samples: Identification information removed; individual identity protected.
Biobank: Facility for collection, processing, and storage of human biological samples.
Custodianship: Responsibility for the safe handling and eventual disposal of samples.
Human Biological Sample: All biological materials of human origin, excluding established cell lines.
Personal Information: Identifiable data related to individuals, protected in research contexts.

Research on archived samples must consider consent and ethical implications.
Conducting human biological sample research ethically requires prospective consent and community feedback.

Beneficence: Doing good for participants.
Non-maleficence: Avoiding harm to participants.
Justice: Fair distribution of benefits and burdens.
Fidelity and Trust: Integrity in the investigator-participant relationship.
Personal Dignity and Autonomy: Respecting participants' rights and informed consent.

Informed Consent: Required approval from an Institutional Review Board/Independent Ethics Committee before proceeding.
Elements of consent may include agreement for specific research, storage use, and access to personal medical records.

Primary tool to evaluate new medical, surgical, or behavioral interventions.
Begin with laboratory tests and animal studies before human testing is authorized by the FDA.

Phase I: Focus on safety and dosage with a small group.
Phase II: Effectiveness assessments with a larger group, including safety studies.
Phase III: Extensive safety and efficacy trials with hundreds to thousands of subjects.