Capaldo T. The Ins and Outs of Cruelty Free Science. Paper presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

The relationship between attitudes and practices in science education and in the field of science itself is linear, each predictive of the other. Science education must commit, by changing existing practices, to effecting an ethical and methodological paradigm shift to humane and better science. To secure a cruelty free future for science, we must keep compassionate students IN science. Future generations of scientists who are unwilling to hurt or kill animals are the only assurance of a cruelty free science for tomorrow. With scientists at the helm who are unwilling to hurt or kill animals, the practices of science will change. Further, once the first non-human animal, the chimpanzee, our closest genetic relative, is OUT of science, the ethical tenets upon which science allows itself cruel and lethal uses of other species will be shifted. By making chimpanzees the first non-human species to be granted the same moral considerations as homo sapiens, the species barrier will be crossed. As a result of accomplishing this IN-OUT strategy, scientifically progressive and ethically humane beliefs and practices can prevail. Cruelty free science depends on keeping compassionate students IN science and getting chimpanzees, our closest relatives, OUT of science.