Keeping invertebrate research ethical in a landscape of shifting public opinion

• Published in: Methods in ecology and evolution Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 1265 - 1273
• Main Authors: Drinkwater, Eleanor, Robinson, Elva J. H., Hart, Adam G., Ellison, Aaron
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-08-2019
• Subjects: animal welfare; Cognition; Communities; Ethics; Euthanasia; Genetics; Hazards; invertebrate cognition; invertebrate collection methods; invertebrate euthanasia; Invertebrates; Landscape; Public opinion; public perception; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 2041-210X; 2041-210X
• DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.13208

Invertebrate study systems are cornerstones of biological and biomedical research, providing key insights into fields from genetics to behavioural ecology. Despite the widespread use of invertebrates in research, there are very few ethical guidelines surrounding their use.
Focussing on two ethical considerations faced during invertebrate studies—collecting methods and euthanasia—we make recommendations for integrating principles of vertebrate research into invertebrate research practice.
We argue, given emerging research on invertebrate cognition and shifting public perception on the use of invertebrates in research, it is vital that the scientific community revisits the ethics of invertebrate use in research.
Without careful consideration and development of the ethics surrounding the use of invertebrates by the scientific community, there is a danger of losing public support. It is imperative that the public understand the significance of research that uses invertebrates and that scientists demonstrate their ethical treatment of their experimental subjects.