Hugh LaFollette

The Origin of Speciesism

Anti-vivisectionists charge that animal experimenters are speciesists—people who unjustly discriminate against members of other species. Until recently most defenders of experimentation denied the charge. After the publication of The Case for the Use of Animals in Biomedical Research in the New England Journal of Medicine, experimenters had a more aggressive reply: I am a speciesist. Speciesism is not merely plausible, it is essential for right conduct .... Most researchers now embrace Cohens response as part of their defense of animal experimentation. Cohen asserts that both rights and utilitarian arguments

Animal Experimentation: the legacy of Claude Bernard

Abstract Claude Bernard, the father of scientific physiology, believed that if medicine was to become truly scientific, it would have to be based on rigorous and controlled animal experiments. Bernard instituted a paradigm which has shaped physiological practice for most of the twentieth century. In this paper we examine how Bernards commitment to hypothetico‐de‐ductivism and determinism led to (a) his rejection of the theory of evolution; (b) his minimalization of the role of clinical medicine and epidemiological studies; and (c) his conclusion that experiments on non‐human animals were, “entirely conclusive for the toxicology and hygiene of man”. We examine some negative consequences of Bernardianism for twentieth century medicine, and argue that physiologys continued adherence to Bernardianism has caused it to diverge from the other biological sciences which have become increasingly infused with evolutionary theory.

Seeking justice: The advantages and disadvantages of being educated

Criminal justice needs to be examined and developed in the larger context of social justice. Social ills such as pervasive individual and corporate greed and evasiveness need to be addressed as we attempt to promote a greater sense of social peace. Such an effort involves teaching meaningful social values in both general education settings as well as in the particular discipline of criminal justice.