ANIMAL RESEARCH, A NECESSARY EVIL?

Speaking
1. With a partner, discuss the following questions :

How important is it to do research that

improves human health?
Do you think we should use animals in
scientific research? Give reasons for your
answer.
Would you take medications tested on
animals if you had a choice? Why or why not?

Vocabulary
2. Read the following sentences and match the words and phrases in bold with
their definitions a–J. Then in pairs/groups, compare your answers.

1. He could not hide his unease at the 9. The department is responsible for
way the situation was developing. : regulating the insurance industry. :
2. After the video was released, animal 10. The police play a vital role in our
welfare society. :
groups wanted this practice
banned.
:
3. Preparations are underway for a week of
special events at the amusement park
in May. :
4. The government's handling of the

current economic crisis remains

highly contentious.
:
5. After her accident, she was miserable
and did not want to see anyone. :
6. If the pain becomes severe, you might
have to contact a doctor. :
7. A dilemma arises when a doctor has to
decide whether or not to recommend
an expensive treatment. :
8. For many celebrities, one of the penalties
of fame is loss of privacy. :

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 a. Predicament; a situation that makes Reading
problems, often one in which you
have to make a very difficult choice 3. PREDICTING: Look at the
between article's headline, then read the
things of equal importance first and second paragraphs.
What type of information do you
b. likely to cause people to disagree think you will find in the article?
After reading, check if your
c. essential; necessary or essential in
prediction was correct.
order for something to succeed or
exist
d. the general health, happiness and Animal research: is it a necessary evil?
safety of a person, an animal or a [Adapted from the [Link] , May 2018]
group
e. extremely bad or serious
f. Concern; anxiety; the feeling of
4. Read the article, then answer the
comprehension questions.
being worried or unhappy about
something
-
g. to have started
h. a punishment for breaking a law,
rule or contract,
i. to control something by means of rules
j. very unhappy or uncomfortable

[Link] year, millions of animals are used The animals

in scientific research across the UK. 4. Closer examination of these numbers
Statistics suggest that almost four million reveals several things. First, they only
scientific procedures were carried out on include non-human vertebrates – animals
animals in 2016 alone. The majority of with a backbone – and cephalopods, such as
these were reported to be on mice (73%), octopus or squid. These animals are deemed
followed by fish (14%), rats (6%) and capable of experiencing pain, suffering,
birds (4%). The remaining proportion was distress and lasting harm. As a result they
made up of other species including are covered by the Animals (Scientific
horses and other equines (0.23%), Procedures) Act (ASPA), the UK legislation for
dogs (0.13%), primates regulation of animal research.
(0.09%) and cats (0.004%).
[Link], trillions of invertebrates –
2. These numbers make most of us feel animals without a backbone such as insects,
a little uneasy. While many understand worms, crustaceans and molluscs – are used
and accept (perhaps reluctantly) that each year for research into a range of
animal research is necessary for tackling topics including genetics, health and food
the major health, environmental and security. Historically, invertebrate species
economic issues of our times, the fact have been thought to have less developed
that so many animals are used for sensory systems and considered less likely to
advancing these causes can seem experience pain; for this reason they are not
counter-progressive and cruel. covered by ASPA legislation.
3. Still,we cannot shy away from the [Link] our understanding of the physiology
reality that this research is going on and and behaviour of these "less feeling"
is of huge benefit to human beings and creatures improves, this seemingly
other species. So it is important to arbitrary division of protection for
consider the facts.
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backboned vs non-backboned (with antibiotics and vaccines.
the exception of cephalopods) has
started to blur. Recent evidence 9.A contentious area is "regulatory
suggests that some invertebrates testing" which covers animal use for
may well have capacity for feeling testing of chemicals to determine hazards
pain and distress, so there may be an to humans. It should be noted that this
argument for ASPA inclusion. does not include cosmetic testing,
banned in the UK since 1998. While a
The procedures relatively smaller percentage
(approximately 14% in 2016) in
7. The majority of ASPA-covered comparison to other uses, this remains a
research animals are used in genetic miserable fate for several hundred
research. In 2016, for example, thousand animals.
approximately 50% of all animals
(mostly mice) were used for the 10. Though uncomfortable to discuss, the
creation of genetically altered severity of procedures is also worth
animals. considering. Referring to the level of
discomfort, pain and suffering that an
8. A
large proportion of these creatures animal will experience, it is categorised in
– 37% in 2016 – were also used in order of increasing severity: below-
basic research into improvements in threshold; mild; moderate; severe; and
the health and safeguarding of non-recovery (death). In 2014,
various species, and applied research approximately 6% of procedures to ASPA-
such as the development of regulated animals were deemed severe.
The researchers UK Home Office) and the research
community do not take the use of animals
11. The uneasiness felt by much of the lightly, and there are substantial conditions
public around the use of animals for that must be met. First, all research on ASPA-
research extends into the research regulated animals cannot be conducted
community. Many researchers feel without Home Office licensing of the relevant
strongly conflicted about using animals to institute, research project and researcher.
support their research, especially those
whose aim is to ultimately preserve and
protect animals.
12. This ethical dilemma can motivate a
researcher to ensure that research is
carried out in a highly humane and
responsible manner. It may also assure a
strong rationale and high degree of
experimental rigour so that results are
meaningful and valid.
[Link] the welfare of animals is
also of considerable benefit to
researchers. For example, where animals
are sick or in discomfort, results will be
highly flawed. Animal research can be a
costly business, so lack of provision of
humane conditions can also lead to major
financial losses. Finally, there are major
legal implications to consider. Anyone not
adhering to regulations can face
penalties ranging from the loss of
research licenses to imprisonment.
14. The ASPA regulating office (that is, the

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 15. The Home Office also requires that researchers and their institutions must
organisations carrying out animal demonstrate progression. The 3Rs call for
research have a comprehensive and animals to be
dedicated team of individuals
(including their own vet) which (i) replaced with alternatives such as
oversees all procedures and research models or in vitro approaches (for
personnel. All institutes conducting example, testing takes place on cells
animal research should also have an which are grown externally rather than
Animal Welfare and Ethical Review using the whole organism);
Body (AWERB) that provides guidance (ii)reduced in numbers (where enough
on all aspects of animal well-being. An animals are used to ensure statistically
AWERB also provides ethical review of significant results but not in excess); and
all research projects and protocols
(iii) for experimental procedures to be
which involve any animals (including
refined to avoid unnecessary suffering.
invertebrates) in any way.
17. Interms of society, it is vital that we
16. The use of animals in research is are not indifferent about the use of
by no means ideal and the promotion animals in research. Instead, we should
of ways to reduce this kind of each aim for a comprehensive
research is well underway. The 3R understanding and appreciation of the
principles – replacement, reduction immense sacrifice that animals provide
and refinement – provide a framework for the benefit of other life on this planet.
for animal research by which all We owe them that.
Comprehension
Read and complete the following comprehension questions. All answers should be
in complete sentences.

1. How do some people feel about using animals in research?

2. Which animals are covered by the ASPA and which are not ? Why? What is now
understood about the animals that are not covered?

3. How do many researchers feel about using animals in their research?

4. What conditions are required by the ASPA to use animals in research?

5. Answer the following multiple-choice questions. Then compare your answers with a
partner.

1. A/An_______________________is a cephalopod (an animal that has tentacles).

a) octopus b) lizard c) snake

2. Invertebrates are animals________________-- .

a) With a backbone b) without a backbone c) within a backbone
3. Which animal is mainly used for the creation of genetically altered animals?
a) mouse b) squid c) worm
4. The 3R principle is .
a) Review, replacement, redirection b) rewind, reduction,
recreation c) replacement, reduction, refinement

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5. After looking at the severity of procedures on animals, about 6 % of procedures were
deemed -----------------
.
a) mild b) severe c) moderate

Critical thinking
6. With a partner, discuss the following questions,
then share your views with the rest of the class.
1. Do you think the government and the
organisations that conduct experiments are doing
enough to protect animals used for research?
2. What ethical principles do you think researchers
should follow to ensure that animals are treated as
humanely as possible?
3. Do animals benefit from this research?