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Engaging science in a climate of values: tools for animal scientists tasked with addressing ethical problems

C. C. Croney^* and Raymond Anthony

^* Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210 Department of Philosophy, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage 99508

croney.1{at}osu.edu

Abstract

In the United States, escalating concerns about current farm animal science and production methods have resulted not just in increased food animal protection policies, but also, in animal welfare legislation. Animal scientists and industry leaders are apprehensive that such policies may primarily be driven by emotion and lack of scientific understanding, and thus, may have unforeseen consequences. However, decisions about animal care and particularly, animal welfare cannot be made solely on the basis of science because the potential impacts on producers, animals, concerned citizens, and implications for the environment and food prices must also be considered. Balancing the interests and values of all stakeholders in regard to animal welfare problems has presented a considerable challenge. Ethical accounting processes, such as the Ethical Matrix and Campbell’s ethics assessment process offer models to combine socio-ethical concerns with relevant factual information, thereby facilitating decision-making that is both ethically responsible and offers viable solutions. A case study is used to illustrate application of Campbell’s ethics assessment process, which includes identification of the ethical problems, the embedded values, the relevant facts and moral tests that can be applied. Awareness of these emerging ways of doing ethics that offer real solutions to conflicts of interests and not merely ‘one size fits all’ answers should be an asset to animal and poultry scientists.

Key Words: Animal welfare • ethical assessment • moral decision-making • policies