Authors : P.H.G.J. De Silva, N.S.B.M. Atapattu and A.L. Sandika
Abstract: Ones opinion on a bioethical issue is unique to that individual and is influenced by a range of factors. In this study, undergraduate students (n = 238) from faculty of Medicine (M), Agriculture (A), Veterinary (V), Management (MG) Engineering (E) and Art (AR) were selected to measure their attitude on ethical issue regarding use of animal for research as well as other purposes using a structured type questionnaire. A significantly higher percentage of V (100%), A (86%), M (95%) and AR (74%) respondents held a utilitarian view on the use of animal for human activities. Only a minority (10%) undergraduate following A, E, AR courses opposed the use of animals by human. The most accepted use of animals by M, MG, A, AR and E was as pets while most preferred uses were as zoo animals and for research by V undergraduates. But nobody believed human has full liberty to use animals for research. MG (83%) significantly opposed dissecting animal for academic purposes. A, V supposed use of rat while M and E supposed cockroach in experimentation were superior to other animals. The views on use of animals in teaching purposes were also affected by the discipline. This proved that undergraduates who followed science base curricula held more rational attitudes toward animal use in research.
P.H.G.J. De Silva, N.S.B.M. Atapattu and A.L. Sandika, 2010. Undergraduates Attitudes Toward Use of Animals in Research and Other Purposes are Influenced by Their Field of Study. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences, 7: 404-407.