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Ethical Issues in Animal Psychopharmacology

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Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology

Synonyms

Justifications for using animals; Morals and animal use; Philosophical basis for using animals

Definition

Justification for the care and use of animals in psychopharmacological research is based on philosophical arguments, moral principles, and the consensus of reviewing boards and governing agencies.

Current Concepts and State of Knowledge

While the use of animals by humans for many purposes (e.g., food, labor, transportation) goes back to prehistoric times and the use of animals for scientific research goes back several centuries, in the last several decades, the use of animals for research has generated controversy. Researchers have dedicated their lives to developing life-saving treatments through the use of animals, yet groups of activists believe that animals are not our property or subject to our control and experimentation. Thus, consideration of ethical issues is at the forefront of psychopharmacological research. This entry explores the ethical use of animals in...

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Correspondence to Marilyn E. Carroll .

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© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Carroll, M.E., Santi, P.A. (2015). Ethical Issues in Animal Psychopharmacology. In: Stolerman, I.P., Price, L.H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_278

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