Principles for the Ethical Care and Use of Animals 1 Introduction Only the strongest possible allegiance to principles of bioethics can offer a sound basis for any discussion of responsible research. The Belmont Report identified fundamental principles underlying the ethical evaluation of research involving human subjects. Similarly, the principles governing the ethical valuation of the use of animals in research must be made equally explicit.
Vertebrate animals deserve moral concern.
The following principles are offered to guide careful and considered discussion of the ethical challenges that arise in the course of animal research, a process that must balance risks, burdens and benefits. It is recognized that awareness of these principles will not prevent conflicts. These principles are also not meant to prescribe definite procedures for resolving such conflicts but rather to provide a framework within which challenges can be addressed in a rational manner. The use of animals in research involves responsibility for the stewardship of the animals, and responsibility to the scientific community and society. Stewardship is a universal responsibility that extends beyond the immediate use of the animals for research to include their acquisition, care and disposition while responsibility to the scientific community and society requires an appropriate understanding of, and sensitivity to scientific needs and community attitudes toward the use of animals.