Author: admin

Researchers are developing an animal model for a rare
genetic disorder known as osteogenesis imperfecta. Children born with this
disorder have a genetic mutation that prevents them from forming strong bones.
Neonates usually have many broken bones at birth and usually die within 6
months, or within a year at most. They usually also have severe brain damage,
organ damage, and a variety of infections. Researchers plan to develop a
transgenic mouse with a genetic defect that results in a condition similar to
osteogenesis imperfecta. They will study the etiology of the disease in mice as
well as a variety of treatment modalities. Do you have an ethical problem with this
experiment? Why or why not?

A researcher is conducting experiments on tumor suppression
with transgenic oncomice. In his experiments, he allows the mice to develop
cancerous tumors, and he then treats them with different gene therapy vectors
designed to inhibit cell cancer growth. Two graduate students and two lab
technicians work with him on his project. Last week, one of his graduate
students informed the IACUC chair that several mice had developed tumors that
impeded their free movement in the cages. The tumors were growing around their
front legs and on their chests. This was a violation of the researcher’s animal
protocol. The graduate student also reported that the researcher has been out
of town consulting with biotech companies and has not been paying close
attention to work being conducted in his lab. How should the IACUC handle this
problem?

Dr. Murphy is studying aggression in rats. She is
experimenting with a variety of environmental and hormonal infl uences on
aggression in order to study the relationship between aggression and
overcrowding, stress, food deprivation, and levels of sex hormones. In some of
her experiments, rats will be placed in crowded cages; in others they will be
deprived of food; in others they will receive high doses of testosterone. She
will attempt to minimize pain and discomfort to the rats, but they are likely
to fi ght and injure each other. Would you allow Dr. Murphy to do this
experiment?

1. Is the media paying too much, just enough, or too little
attention to questionable research with human subjects? Why do you think that
is so?
2. Do you think freedom of inquiry should surpass other
values? Why?
3. What risks would you and members of your family take for
public good? Why?

1. In your opinion, should there be a difference between
informed consent for volunteering as a human subject and informed consent for
medical treatment? What would those differences be, if any? Why?
2. Do you think IRBs are doing a good job of protecting
human subjects? Can they? How would you improve the system, if you believe
improvement is needed?