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Old 02-19-2009, 04:38 AM   #9 (permalink)
Guybrush
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There is a lot of morals in science. Science as a whole may seem like a big, cold thinking thing but it's made up by scientists and they are just regular people. My girlfriend is doing experiments on chickens and so she spends a lot of time where they keep research animals. As an example of morals in science - they have a lot of rats there. All the lab rats get handled and cuddled with every day because experiments show that it makes them happier and they live longer because of it. The size of the cages is also determined in a similar way. They even keep "regular" animals the alongside the lab animals just so they have others to socialize with.

Sometimes you have to think utilitarian to do science. Maybe some reindeer will have to die so that we can study them and find out what we can do to help many populations of reindeer from now and generations to come. You pay the price because in the end, it's worth it.

It's the same thing with fetuses. I don't think it's immoral to use them, but some scientists probably do. However, what we can gain from this research, not just extended knowledge but practical use which likely goes far beyond just helping people like you and me, makes it worth it.

Just think a little utilitaristic and most science becomes perfectly moral ..
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