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“Killing in the Name of 3R?” The Ethics of Death in Animal Research
Changing relationships with nonhuman animals have led to important modifications in animal welfare legislations, including the protection of animal life. However, animal research regulations are largely based on welfarist assumptions, neglecting the idea that death can constitute a harm to animals. In this article, four different cases of killing animals in research contexts are identified and discussed against the background of philosophical, societal, and scientific-practical discourses: 1. Animals killed during experimentation, 2. Animals killed before research, 3. “Surplus” animals and 4. “Leftover” animals. The scientific community and, accordingly, animal research regulations such as the internationally acknowledged framework 3R (“Replace”, “Reduce”, “Refine”) tend to aim at the reduction of “surplus” and, to some extent, “leftover” animals, whereas the first two classes are rather neglected. However, the perspective that animal death matters morally is supported by both societal moral intuitions and certain theoretical accounts in animal ethics. Therefore, we suggest the implementation of the 3Rs in regulations, so that they: 1. Make their underlying philosophical position transparent; 2. Are based on a weighing account of animal death; 3. Are applicable to procedures on living and dead animals; 4. Apply the “reduction” principle to procedures on dead animals; 5. Entail that methods using (parts of) dead animals need to be replaced by animal free methods, if possible; 6. Do not suggest replacing research on living animals by research on killed animals; 7. Include all kinds of animals, depending on the respective harm of death; 8. Are applied to the broader context of experimentation, including breeding and the fate of the animals after the experiment.
Journal Article
Sammy in the sky
A little girl tells about her special pet, Sammy, \"the best hound dog in the whole world,\" and how, after he becomes sick and dies, she comes to know the truth of her mother's words, that Sammy's spirit is everywhere.
Book
Philosophy of a “Good Death” in Small Animals and Consequences for Euthanasia in Animal Law and Veterinary Practice
Moral stress is a major concern in veterinary practice. Often, it is associated with the challenges in end-of-life situations. Euthanasia, however, is also meant to bring relief to animal patients and their owners. The reasons for the moral strain euthanizing animals causes to professional veterinarians need to be further clarified. This article investigates “euthanasia” from a philosophical, legal, and practical perspective. After introducing relevant aspects of euthanasia in small animal practice, the term is analyzed from an ethical point of view. That includes both a broad and a narrow definition of “euthanasia” and underlying assumptions regarding different accounts of animal death and well-being. Then, legal and soft regulations are discussed with regard to the theoretical aspects and practical challenges, also including questions of personal morality. It is argued that the importance of ethical definitions and assumptions concerning euthanasia and their intertwinement with both law and practical challenges should not be neglected. The conclusion is that veterinarians should clarify the reasons for their potential discomfort and that they should be supported by improved decision-making tools, by implementation of theoretical and practical ethics in veterinary education, and by updated animal welfare legislation.
Journal Article
Beyond the taboo: a thanatosociological investigation of companion animal loss based on an interview study with small animal veterinarians
Thanatosociology examines the social dimensions of death, focusing on how societies perceive and navigate the realities of mortality. A key argument in this field posits that, in certain contemporary Western societies, direct experiences with dying and death are increasingly rare, leading to the emergence of death as a taboo topic. Given the emotional bond between pet owners and their pets, it becomes essential to examine the implications of companion animal loss within this framework. As pets often die at home, this topic warrants investigation to better understand how these experiences can influence societal perceptions of mortality. This study aims to highlight this often-overlooked perspective, emphasizing the significance of companion animal loss in shaping collective attitudes toward death and dying. To investigate this phenomenon, qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 small animal veterinarians specializing in hospice and palliative care. The findings corroborate the notion of a taboo surrounding death, as veterinarians highlighted the physical and emotional distancing from dying individuals and the pervasive fear and uncertainty when confronting mortality. Further, respondents argued that other cultures engage with death more openly and suggest that the experience of accompanying a dying pet can challenge societal repression, thereby fostering a more reflective approach to death for both adults and children. Relatedly, veterinarians stated that this experience provides a unique opportunity to bring death into the public consciousness, transforming it from a taboo into a more visible aspect of life. Further, respondents described the loss of a companion animal as a “training ground” for confronting death, noting that past negative experiences can complicate decision-making regarding animal care. This research suggests that veterinarians are not only perceived as medical professionals but also as “experts on death,” providing critical emotional support during end-of-life care. The findings highlight the need to integrate discussions about death into veterinary education, emphasizing the critical role veterinarians play in facilitating conversations about mortality and supporting bereaved companion animal owners. By recognizing this dual role, we can enhance the capacity of the veterinary profession to address the complexities of grief and mortality, ultimately fostering a more open dialogue about these important issues.
Journal Article
The heaven of animals
A story in rhyme, lovingly expressing that every pet is originally from heaven and thereby returns to heaven when it's time to get their wings.
Book
Epidemiology of Human and Animal Anthrax in India, 1990–2022: A Comprehensive Analysis of Literature and National Surveillance Data
Anthrax, a neglected zoonotic disease caused by
, exerts considerable health consequences in resource-limited regions and is notably prevalent in India, causing persistent outbreaks that pose major animal and public health challenges. This study reviews the spatiotemporal patterns of human and animal anthrax outbreaks in India to identify high-risk areas and assess the correlation with environmental factors.
A comprehensive literature search covering the period from 1990 to 2022 was conducted across various databases including CAB Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, alongside Indian government databases like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the National Animal Disease Referral Expert System (NADRES). We extracted data from studies published in English, using predefined keywords, and evaluated them using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Data analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel and EpiInfo, with spatial mapping in ArcGIS Pro.
Out of the 423 studies reviewed, 44 fulfilled our inclusion criteria, providing data on 174 human outbreaks (1778 cases, 130 fatalities) and 1775 animal outbreaks (7818 deaths). We identified key hotspots for human anthrax in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, and significant hotspots for animal anthrax in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Majority of human outbreaks were reported between March and June, whereas the majority of animal outbreaks were reported between June and September. A strong correlation was observed between rainfall and animal outbreaks in the eastern region (correlation coefficient of 0.94).
The study highlights key hotspots for human and animal anthrax and discrepancies in human and animal anthrax reporting and gaps in surveillance. There is a critical need for enhanced One Health surveillance and animal anthrax vaccination programs for effective management and mitigate the disease. These strategies are essential not only for public health and livestock welfare in India but also for global health security.
Journal Article
If cats disappeared from the world
The postman's days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage to keep him company, he was unprepared for the doctor's diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can tackle his bucket list, the Devil appears to make him an offer.
BOOK
Mechanism of Multi-Organ Injury in Experimental COVID-19 and Its Inhibition by a Small Molecule Peptide
Severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection often progresses to multi-organ failure and results in an increased mortality rate amongst these patients. However, underlying mechanisms of SARS- CoV-2-induced multi-organ failure and subsequent death are still largely unknown. Cytokine storm, increased levels of inflammatory mediators, endothelial dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the organs contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19. One potential consequence of immune/inflammatory events is the acute progression of generalized edema, which may lead to death. We, therefore, examined the involvement of water channels in the development of edema in multiple organs and their contribution to organ dysfunction in a Murine Hepatitis Virus-1 (MHV-1) mouse model of COVID-19. Using this model, we recently reported multi-organ pathological abnormalities and animal death similar to that reported in humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We now identified an alteration in protein levels of AQPs 1, 4, 5, and 8 and associated oxidative stress, along with various degrees of tissue edema in multiple organs, which correlate well with animal survival post-MHV-1 infection. Furthermore, our newly created drug (a 15 amino acid synthetic peptide, known as SPIKENET) that was designed to prevent the binding of spike glycoproteins with their receptor(s), angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) (SARS-CoV-2 and MHV-1, respectively), ameliorated animal death and reversed altered levels of AQPs and oxidative stress post-MHV-1 infection. Collectively, our findings suggest the possible involvement of altered aquaporins and the subsequent edema, likely mediated by the virus-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress response, in the pathogenesis of COVID- 19 and the potential of SPIKENET as a therapeutic option.
Journal Article