Medical students’ view on the use of animals in biomedical research

Abstract

The purpose of this survey was to describe medical students’ views of animals and the use of animals in biomedical research. The three explanation variables used were gender, age and year of study. A vast majority (95%) of the respondents considered that animals have rights. Possible explanations to this result could be that the term has been used by the media during a relatively long period. which has made the expression common. and the students do not consider what it
philosophically and logically infers to have rights. Younger students and female students seemed to value animals higher and had a more restricted view on animals and animal research compared to other groups. More than 95% of the respondents were positive toward the possibility to use animals for scientific purposes. There was a relationship between commitment to environmental issues and caring about animal rights. A conclusion of the present study. is that more information about laboratory animals and biomedical research should be made available to the students. as well as to the general public.