Research on animals and current UGC guidelines on animal dissection and experimentation: A critical analysis

Abstract

Dissection and vivisection are two important activities in biological classes in order to understand the vital processes of life. They not only provide basic training for young learners, but also lay the foundation for all other research. Inhuman behavior toward laboratory animals drew the attention of the public worldwide, including many non-government organizations and animal lovers. They convinced some countries to issue strict guidelines for the use of animals for classroom dissection/experimental purposes. After receiving many complaints on unethical uses of animals for classroom dissection purposes, the University Grant Commission, New Delhi, issued new guidelines for the phasing out of dissection and animal experimentation in the zoology/life sciences curricula. In the present study the authors correlate the relevance and importance of animal dissections in teaching and research, and for the parallel development of medical and biological science. They conclude that animal experiments are vital to the future well-being of humans, and are morally permissible as long as they are conducted with high ethical standards. Animal experimentation and use of animals for dissection purposes are also justifiable, from various philosophical viewpoints. It appears that the guidelines issued by UGC are not based on serious deliberation on the bioethical dilemma.