Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
KAFKAS UNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, cilt.17, sa.6, ss.1051-1056, 2011 (SCI-Expanded)
The use of animals in scientific studies is a controversial topic in research ethics. Research involving animal subjects is carried out on the grounds of scientific necessity and legitimacy. The inappropriate harming and immoral use of animals are severely criticized, and, sometimes abolished on the basis of violation of animal rights. Research conducted on animals must conform to generally accepted scientific and ethical principles. Therefore studies should be designed in order to include provisions for avoiding or minimizing risk to animal subjects. Humane handling and treatment to animals must be essential; the principles of ethics and good laboratory practice should be respected. Experimental procedures should be in accordance with scientific, ethical rules and legal statutes and regulations. Selection of species and number of animals used should be taken into consideration before the research starts. Living conditions for experimental animals must be safe, hygienic, comfortable, and contribute to the well-being of animals. This paper discusses the basic ethical conduct for research and experimentation on animals in light of internationally accepted guidelines and national, local, regulations by giving reference to studies on attitudes and values regarding the ethical conduct of animal experimentation. It attracts attention to the ambiguity of the attitudes of the educators and researches in the field, and puts forth that the interests of animals used in scientific experiments should be weighed to the benefits to mankind.