ABSTRACT
Inspired by Henry Spira, this chapter seeks common ground between the positions of biomedicine and animal advocates. It begins with some background on the political and ethical debate over animal research. The chapter identifies important points of potential agreement between biomedicine and animal advocates; much of this common ground can be missed due to distraction by the fireworks of the current political exchange. The optimistic thesis of the chapter is that the biomedical and animal protection communities can agree on a fair number of important points, and that much can be done to build upon this common ground. The chapter highlights each potential point of agreement and then justifies its inclusion by explaining how both sides can agree to it, without abandoning their basic positions, and why they should. It enumerates issues on which continuing disagreement is likely, and concludes with concrete suggestions for building positively on the common ground.
