Animal Experimentation

Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the issues around using animals for medical research. The guide contains information, further reading and web links. It encourages students to gain a greater understanding of the topic and consider the issues around this controversial area.

Two fundamental issues are at stake. First, there is the scientific question of the nature of the contribution that animal experiments make to medical and scientific progress. Second, there are ethical questions about the moral status of animals.

Should we expand our sphere of moral concern to include animals on a more equal basis, or is there something unique about human beings that justifies us in using animals for our own ends?

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5do