Abstract
To be legitimate research needs to be ethical, methodologically sound, of sufficient value to justify public expenditure, and transparent. Animal research has always been contested on ethical grounds, but there is now mounting evidence of poor scientific method, and growing doubts about its clinical
value. So what of transparency? 'Here we examine the increasing focus on openness within animal research in the UK, analysing recent developments within the Home Office and within the main group representing the interests of the sector, Understanding Animal Research. We argue that while important steps are being taken towards greater transparency, the legitimacy of animal research
continues to be undermined by selective openness. We propose that openness could be increased through public involvement and that this would bring about much needed improvements in animal research, as it has done in clinical research.
value. So what of transparency? 'Here we examine the increasing focus on openness within animal research in the UK, analysing recent developments within the Home Office and within the main group representing the interests of the sector, Understanding Animal Research. We argue that while important steps are being taken towards greater transparency, the legitimacy of animal research
continues to be undermined by selective openness. We propose that openness could be increased through public involvement and that this would bring about much needed improvements in animal research, as it has done in clinical research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 167-173 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Alternatives to Laboratory Animals |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2016 |
Keywords
- Openness
- animal research
- transparency
- public involvement