N/A

Students will study the major ethical theories relating to animal use: contractarianism, utilitarianism, deontology, respect for nature, relational and feminist ethics and the principles of bioethics. Concepts such as anthropomorphism, speciesism, and the socio-zoological scale will be explored in relation to animals in a range of contexts. The use of animals in research and the ethical framework of the 3Rs will be evaluated. Ethical decision-making within the veterinary practice will form a major part of the module. This will include: consent, responsibility and accountability, legal matters, Duty of Care, euthanasia and the with-holding of treatment. Coping strategies and resilience for veterinary staff will be discussed. Where possible, students will reflect on their experiences in practice with the summative assessment providing the opportunity to explore an ethically challenging experience in depth.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Apply ethical theories to critique the uses of animals in society
LO2: Utilise a problem solving approach to apply ethical decision- making to real life situations
LO3: Evaluate arguments for and against a range of veterinary procedures.
LO4: Prioritise legal and professional responsibilities in relation to animals in a variety of different environments