The Way of Thinking which Supports the Regulation of Animal Experiments in U. K.

Abstract

　 The U. K. has a centralized regulatory system for animal experiment. This system is well accepted because it is regarded as good to keep the consistency of practice. This regulation is supported by three basic values; science-centrism, utilitarianism and anthropo-centrism. Science-centrism can be seen in the realization process of animal welfare. Animal welfare is effectively and objectively realized through the incorporation of the concept of animal welfare into the methods of science. Utilitarianism is evident in the decision-making process. The decision whether to permit a particular experiment is based on an analysis of the costs (in terms of animal suffering) against the likely benefit to be derived from the data sought. Anthropo-centrism seems to be an antithesis for science-centrism and utilitarianism. The anti-animal experiment movement is mostly driven by the emotional factors. An important means of breaking the deadlock between the movement and science is by protest in the society. The protest is regarded as the balancer of the U. K. society, and has certainly aided the realization of humane regulation.