ABSTRACT

As currently practiced, animal research intended to translate to human clinical benefit, frequently fails to deliver on its promise. Instead, it often contributes to significant harms for human and nonhuman animals. In this paper I argue that taking the dissent of animals in research seriously could improve the translation of results and moderate some of the harms that animal research involves. However, robust engagement with animal dissent to achieve these epistemological and ethical benefits would radically alter the practice of research and consequently face significant resistance.  I begin by briefly outlining the harms to humans and nonhumans associated with the current practice of animal research, before articulating what I mean by dissent and the ways in which researchers could engage with dissent. I conclude by showing that it is only through the most radical of reforms that the epistemological and ethical benefits of engaging with dissent can be achieved. 

SPEAKER

Dr Jane Johnson (ARC Future Fellow, Macquarie University)

DETAILS

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