Ethics Case Studies in Biodesign

Case 19 - The Animal Lab

You are scheduled to try your newly prototyped device in the local animal laboratory. The animal will be shared with another team who will use the animal first for their purpose before you then take over for your project. The animal lab personnel supervise the anesthesia of the animal and the surgical preparation of the animal for both teams. The protocols have been approved by the appropriate bodies for these acute experiments. You note that the animal seems to be rather ‘light’ on anesthesia at the end of the first protocol and you mention that to the laboratory personnel in charge. They tell you that is the right level and that you can proceed to start your work. As you make a skin incision the animal moves and makes a noise around the endotrachial tube. You tell the laboratory person in charge that you are uncomfortable with the animal’s reaction but he says that reaction is usual and you are just unfamiliar with this kind of work.

• Will you continue with the procedure and ‘get used to’ the animal’s reactions?
• Will you stop the procedure and lose the opportunity to use your device?
• Will you anger the lab person by insisting he do things differently? (What consequences will that provoke potentially?)
• What should you do in this situation?
• Are there others you can call or consult with to help you?
• Is this your problem or the laboratory’s problem?
• What else can you do to avoid this situation in the future?