Ethics, Welfare, 3Rs, and Legislation in Biomedical Research: A Practical Approach

Ethics is a term that has always been subject to a lot of heated debate with many grey areas deeply embedded. From extreme views being hostile to performing animal experiments to the views that favour animal usage in biomedical research based on more benefits rather than harm inflicted on a whole, there are classically accepted ethical viewpoints laid down by scientists and philosophers. Contractarianism, Utilitarianism, Relational view or speciesism, Respect to nature view and Animal rights view are explained with examples in detail in this chapter. Animal welfare has components of science and philosophy and different viewpoints like narrow hedonism and preference hedonism, and perfectionism are described in detail. Furthermore, the five freedoms view and the necessity to provide data with an objective nature to prove that animal welfare is attained is important. 3Rs are explained with a special focus on stepwise decision-making in terms of using animals. Steps that a budding researcher shall follow in principle, to achieve replacement as well as refinement is explained with examples from real-workplace situations. Laws and regulations pertaining to particular geographic regions and the importance of compliance is explained in this chapter. This chapter will guide the readers on understanding various perspectives on ethics and welfare and also to follow the cardinal principles in biomedical research using laboratory animals in a practical manner.