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journal #3 - matthew
1. Is it ethical to experiment with animals? Why or why not?
People with biological aspects say that all species is equal, therefore, humans and other animals have the same standard of life. Others with religious aspects such as Christian beliefs say that God created the world and all organisms were created equally, thus humans do not have the right to experiment with animals, because humans are not the dominant species. On the other hand, some people think that for the benefit of humans, it is ethical to experiment with animals, because a good result may benefit animals as well as humans. In my opinion, I believe that it is unethical to experiment with animals, because animals are organisms like us, and they have the “right to live.” Also, I don’t think that humans are the dominant species, but we have more intelligence than other animals, whereas the other animals have more developed skills than us. Moreover, it is illogical to think in a way that for the benefit of the majority, the minority should sacrifice themselves. If people think this way, life wouldn’t have any standards. In addition, although animals have the same basic body structure, they have differences. Hence, we couldn’t be 100% sure if a successful experiment conducted on certain animals would be successful on humans as well.
2. Can psychology or psychological research be dangerous?
The danger of psychology or psychological research depends on where or how the research is done. If a research is ethical or harmless, it would be safe, but some researches that involve experiments with animals that cause harm or death, these would be dangerous. For example, in 1959, a famous DJ in New York did not sleep for 200 hours. He did an experiment on himself, and he reported his condition to the broadcasting stations. On the second day without sleep, he felt extreme fatigue, and on the third day, he saw optical illusions and hallucinations. On the fourth day, he wasn’t able to memorize the alphabets, and as more days passed, he didn’t know who and where he was, and what he was doing. This experiment was extremely dangerous, because this may have caused him to mental illness or even death. Therefore, researches must be done reasonably, so that it wouldn’t cause any harm to others.
People with biological aspects say that all species is equal, therefore, humans and other animals have the same standard of life. Others with religious aspects such as Christian beliefs say that God created the world and all organisms were created equally, thus humans do not have the right to experiment with animals, because humans are not the dominant species. On the other hand, some people think that for the benefit of humans, it is ethical to experiment with animals, because a good result may benefit animals as well as humans. In my opinion, I believe that it is unethical to experiment with animals, because animals are organisms like us, and they have the “right to live.” Also, I don’t think that humans are the dominant species, but we have more intelligence than other animals, whereas the other animals have more developed skills than us. Moreover, it is illogical to think in a way that for the benefit of the majority, the minority should sacrifice themselves. If people think this way, life wouldn’t have any standards. In addition, although animals have the same basic body structure, they have differences. Hence, we couldn’t be 100% sure if a successful experiment conducted on certain animals would be successful on humans as well.
2. Can psychology or psychological research be dangerous?
The danger of psychology or psychological research depends on where or how the research is done. If a research is ethical or harmless, it would be safe, but some researches that involve experiments with animals that cause harm or death, these would be dangerous. For example, in 1959, a famous DJ in New York did not sleep for 200 hours. He did an experiment on himself, and he reported his condition to the broadcasting stations. On the second day without sleep, he felt extreme fatigue, and on the third day, he saw optical illusions and hallucinations. On the fourth day, he wasn’t able to memorize the alphabets, and as more days passed, he didn’t know who and where he was, and what he was doing. This experiment was extremely dangerous, because this may have caused him to mental illness or even death. Therefore, researches must be done reasonably, so that it wouldn’t cause any harm to others.
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, Sep 16 2007, 9:44 AM EDT
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | |
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| Matthew.K | reply | 0 | Sep 16 2007, 9:37 AM EDT by Matthew.K | |
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Thread started: Sep 16 2007, 9:37 AM EDT
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woah... look at all these comments! haha
the DJ guy didnt die after all. He explained that this experience was himself being an innocent victim for testing his limit (weird, right? haha) Also his brain waves were similar to the waves that were produced when people sleep. On the last day of his experiment on himself, he thought the doctor was someone who came to bury him alive, so he ran away from him. So doctors had to persuade him and finally he got 13 hours of sleep. When he awoke, his mental shock was recovered and he was able to act normally. However he was depressed for 3 months after this experiment hahaha |
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| Megooo | DANG! | 0 | Sep 16 2007, 8:03 AM EDT by Megooo | |
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Thread started: Sep 16 2007, 8:03 AM EDT
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wow! i really liked reading this!
1.) i really liked how you used an example of how exactly research can be dangerous. that's really crazy how that man wen't 200 hours without sleep! i want to second pongs comment on if he died? 2.) I really liked how to talked about how some people belive that God created the world and how he thinks that all orgaisms are equal, humans not being the higher power. 3.) I disagree with your statement of "humans are more intellegent" i don't think we know that for sure. But i don't know, i could be wrong. |
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| Alex.Z | response | 1 | Sep 16 2007, 7:52 AM EDT by mikechan23 | |
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Thread started: Sep 16 2007, 6:38 AM EDT
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Impressive dude, impressive. Great points nothing to attack. haha. The good thing now is that most experiments are tested on animals like rats, mice, and birds. The 1959 experiment on the DJ was a good example of how dangerous psychology could be. There are other ways to show how psychology is dangerous. Psychology can be used to manipulate people. This psychological power can be used for good or bad just like nuclear power to light up a city or to destroy it completely. Trying to persuade someone through the power of psychology is to educate an individual or to deceive an individual. Psychology links to many of our world’s great problems-war, prejudice, overpopulation, crime-all of which involve attitudes and behaviors. Psychology also links to our deepest desires of love, happiness, and a great life. Therefore psychology can be dangerous from time to time.
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| Pong | ggg | 0 | Sep 16 2007, 6:12 AM EDT by Pong | |
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Thread started: Sep 16 2007, 6:12 AM EDT
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omg so long not gonna read....
jk 200 hours widout sleep = 8.33333 days did the researcher die? he mustve realli been dedicated to do that i wouldnt even stay up 2 hours to finish my hw i like how u have 2 perspective for each of ur answers. i didnt realize that if we only do passive experiments such as following them and taking notes, animal experiments can be ethical ! same goes with psychological experiments, if ur research is resonable and causes no harm to your subjects then it is not dangerous but pushing beyond this point would be harmful. nasss! |
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| rogerx547 | Response Homework | 0 | Sep 16 2007, 5:55 AM EDT by rogerx547 | |
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Thread started: Sep 16 2007, 5:55 AM EDT
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I generally agree with what Matthew said because I too believe that it is unethical to view animals as nothing more than mere "tests and experiments". Animals have as much right to live as we do and all organisms are all part of a chain and ecosystem just as humans are. However, I disagree with Matthew on the point that I think it's not entirely unethical to test with animals as long as the experiment is very basic. Also I believe observing animals within a natural environment is somewhat ethical as well. For example, if you were to follow a certain animal around for a period of time and then record its behaviors and actions during that time period. I do believe with what Matthew said for the most part though.
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