Ethics and social science collaboration in NAM projects

Animal experimentation is currently ubiquitous in biomedical and many other types of research. Well-recognized concerns include problems with translation of results to humans and the pain/suffering experienced by these animals. Despite increasing advocacy for replacements, including regulatory support and large investments, systematic consideration of how widespread replacement of animal experimentation could occur have been limited. 

Such transitions require not only new technologies, and methods, and advocacy for them, but approaches and perspectives from the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts to explore changing scientific and social cultures, rethink roles and responsibilities, modify standards and regulations, and engage society. Deeper understandings of current practices and proposed alternatives in their broader sociocultural, institutional, and scientific contexts is crucial to potentiate the impact of scientific and technological development of NAMs.

Drawing on our interdisciplinary expertise, SHAPE can contribute with a historical account of the emergence of non-animal alternatives; sociological and cultural investigations of relevant organizations, institutions, regulations/policies, and training/education practices; philosophical analysis of shifting scientific norms and methods; and development of novel approaches to ethical issues, scientific responsibilities, and publics’ understandings in this domain. Working together with a science and technology consortium developing NAMs, we will be able to produce critically important knowledge and actionable analysis, leading to strategies to support targeted, evidence-based, and effective uses of alternatives to animal experimentation.