ABSTRACT

First published in 1997. Aren't humans more valuable than animals? Isn't it morally appropriate to sacrifice animals to cure human disease? Questions about the scientific and moral status of biomedical experimentation are hotly debated in the media and in professional circles. The outcome of this debate will shape future public health policy. Lafollette and Shanks expose the weaknesses in both the standard defense and standard criticisms of animal experimentation. This thorough investigation of one of today's most fiercely debated questions yields some unexpected conclusions. Brute Science essential reading for anyone involved, directly or indirectly in animal experimentation.

part |2 pages

Part I Understanding the debate

chapter 1|16 pages

A FIRST LOOK: THE PRIMA-FACIE CASES

chapter 2|16 pages

THE PROBLEMS OF RELEVANCE

chapter 4|18 pages

THE CURRENT PARADIGM

chapter 6|18 pages

EVOLUTION II: THE WIDENING SYNTHESIS

part |2 pages

Part II Evaluating animal experimentation: the scientific issues

chapter 9|21 pages

CAUSAL DISANALOGY III: WEAK MODELS

chapter 10|21 pages

EVADING CAUSAL DISANALOGY: IT JUST WORKS

chapter 12|14 pages

BASIC RESEARCH

part |2 pages

Part III Evaluating animal experimentation: the moral issues

chapter 13|18 pages

THE MORAL DEBATE IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

chapter 14|20 pages

SPECIESISM: THE DEONTOLOGICAL DEFENSE

chapter 16|8 pages

CONCLUSION