‘Animals in research: for and against', by Lesley Grayson. Pp xiv+320. price £35. London: The British Library, 2000. ISBN 0 7123 0858 X.
This is an exhaustive and extremely well researched book that fortunately does not take the polarised stance suggested by its title. There is a growing recognition that the use of animals in research and testing represents a serious ethical dilemma, and this is made very clear in this excellent review. Few people involved in animal experimentation, whether as scientists, animal technicians, welfarists, regulators or a combination of these would believe it possible to be for or against animal research as a whole and retain moral integrity.
Coverage of all the major issues associated with animal use is comprehensive and fair. This includes national and international laws regulating and (directly or indirectly) requiring animal research and testing, the three Rs (replacement with human alternatives, reduction in numbers, and refinement in procedures in husbandry to improve welfare), primate use, biotechnology, and the inherent complexities and contradictions that make it essential to tell the truth and listen constructively whatever one's views may be.
The book stresses the importance of ensuring that information on animals in research is always factual and neither sanitised nor exaggerated, and the author has done this throughout. References are set out and briefly summarised at the end of each section, which is very useful, and no essential publications, organisations or website addresses have been omitted.
There are a few small and inconsequential errors, including the expansion of the RSPCA as the Royal Society for the "Protection "of Animals. These do not diminish the value of this book as a fundamental resource for anyone who wants to know more about this extremely important issue and who wants access to all the information they need to make their own properly informed decisions.
Reviewer - Penny Hawkins
Penny Hawkins is senior scientific officer in the research animals department at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals