Some Reflections on Primates in Research
This commentary offers refinements and extensions of Beauchamp and DeGrazia’s recommendations in Principles of Animal Research Ethics. The code of ethics that we apply to other species is grounded in our estimation of their mental lives, which affects our respect for them. Much in animal research ethics boils down to how much gain justifies how much pain, presented by Beauchamp and DeGrazia as the principle of sufficient value to justify harm. This pain-to-gain balance is affected by how much consciousness and sentience we attribute to other species. Another major issue is how animals should be housed. Ideally, research facilities would move toward permitting primates to be in the company of familiar others all the time. This enlightened approach would be complemented by Beauchamp and DeGrazia’s more careful ethical justification of research.