Ética e experimentação animal

Abstract

From a historical understanding, this work addresses the relationship between medical research and the use of non-human animals based on an ethico-philosophical analysis. In this way, we will explore aspects related to tradition, scientific and philosophical, regarding the use of animals as guinea pigs in scientific experiments and the legislation that was developed in dealing with this use. In chapter 1 we will present the historical course in the use of animals in scientific experiments, first used as didactic resource and later used as guinea pigs in several types of tests, including the philosophical foundation presented by Aristotle and Descartes to legitimize a “natural” man on the animals. In the next chapter, we will follow the legislation that has come to regulate practices related to animal experimentation, although they still argue in favor of the use of animals in experiments. In chapter 3 and 4 we will present the ethical arguments for and against animal experimentation, or even referring to a supposed higher human moral status. Finally, based on the main ethical theories that converge on this theme, we therefore base the conclusion that we need to reconsider our current practices regarding the way we relate to animals, which includes abolishing any means of animal exploitation, whether such as food, entertainment or scientific experimentation.