You are a graduate student at a major University. You are considering several work study opportunities.
1.Work in the lab of Dr. Crigger, who works on developing stem cell treatments for spinal cord injuries. Working in this lab would involve both in vitro work with stem cells and in vivo work with spinalized animals (rats and cats), which involves behavioral testing, some second survival surgery and sacrifice after nonsurvival surgery.
2.Work in the lab of Dr. Reiser, who’s research involves working with acute chemical changes in the brain after administration of heroin to mice. The mice are sacrificed within an hour of being injected with heroin. The rest of the research is in vitro.
3.Work in the laboratory of Dr. Nussbaum, who does research on the nervous system. Dr. Nussbaum has developed a frog model. Because analgesics can interfere with her research, she destroys the frog’s higher brain under anesthesia. The surviving decerebrate frog is kept in a refrigerator for sufficient time for the anesthesia to be flushed from its system. Then Dr. Nussbaum performs her experiments on the frogs.
4.Work with Dr. Grisso, who studies the health of turtles and tortoises in the wild. Occasionally wild turtles and tortoises may be captures for studying the health of their eggs. Most of these animals are returned to the wild, although a few may be euthanized for study.
5.Work with Dr. Francione in his new Animal Rights Institute. This would involve public education on alternatives to the use of animal products and promoting animal welfare, as well as supporting fund-raising activities (mostly paper work).
Consider the various positions presented by DeGrazia, Francione, Singer, and Steinbock and your own views on our responsibilities towards animals. In light of this, which laboratory would you choose to work in and why?