Animal Research: A Discussion of Ethics

One of the most contentious topics in medical research is the issue of experimentation on animals. Animal models are used in many types of research, from testing new surgical procedures to establishing toxicity levels for chemical compounds.

How well do animal models predict what might happen in humans? What alternatives to animal testing are there, and how well do they work?

Experts talk with guest host Joe Palca about the ethical issues that arise from performing medical experimentation on animals.

Guests:

William Stokes, director, National Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Jonathan Wolff, member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics; professor and department head, Philosophy, University College London

Michael Conn, co-author of The Animal Research War, associate director of the Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University