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Karbank2016ProposalandBudget

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Anush Swaminathan

The document discusses the author's proposal to spend a month working in a neurobiology lab at Boston University studying the use of non-human primates and zebrafish in research. The proposal has two parts: practical experience in the lab and theoretical exploration of views on the moral status of research animals. Funds are requested to cover housing, food, transportation, and books to further the author's understanding of popular perceptions in order to develop their own ethical perspective as a scientist.

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Perception of the Moral Stature of Animals in Modern Scientific Research ! ! In the case of animal-based scienti?c research, questions of the ¡®how¡¯ and ¡®why¡¯ are important because they are the cornerstones of questions concerning the ethical basis and evaluations of such procedures. In order to foster fact-based conversations about the ethical basis, decision making, and control over the moral stature of animals in scienti?c research, understanding of the very process by which scienti?c inquiry advances is important. ! ! For laboratory animal research, many opponents begin with an absolutist position based on the assumption that the use of animals in research is morally ?awed. Such an idea then renders the results of the research, bene?cial or not, irrelevant. Others argue for a more moderate system which calls for consideration of the relative harm and bene?ts of the research being conducted. An essential part of such an ethical process is the understanding of whether alternatives exist to meet the same outcome in scienti?c research. ! ! If I were to become a recipient of the Karbank Fellowship, I would be able to have the opportunity to explore further the moral stature of animals in modern scienti?c research as viewed by scientists working with animals, in addition to learning more about existing views concerning the use of animals in research. My exploration would consist of two parts: a practical and a theoretical part. Over the summer, I will be spending a month working in a laboratory on the Boston University Medical Campus. The laboratory I will be working in, the Zhdanova Lab of developmental Neurobiology, studies the role of ¡®biological timekeeping¡¯ mechanisms in the regulation of metabolism, especially in the cases of non-human primates (rhesus monkeys) and zebra?sh. As such, I will have the opportunity to experience ?rst hand the use of animals in research and perceptions of the moral stature of the animals among my colleagues and superiors (discovered through interviews of students and faculty alike working in the laboratory). the opportunity to observe the moral stature of animals as perceived by scientists presents me with the chance to gain a better grasp on the impact the outcomes of the research have on those perceptions. Additionally, the practical portion will also expose me to any potential alternatives to the use of animals in research, or the lack thereof. The theoretical portion of the Fellowship would allow me to delve further into the subject matter by exploring the works of authors such as Peter Singer, Tom Regan, Peter Carruthers, David Nibert, Michael Fox, Ruth Cigman, and Peter Miller. By gaining exposure to popular perceptions on the moral stature of animals, I will be able to attempt to formulate my own ethical views on the matter, which are important not just for my growth as a future scientist, but also as an ethical researcher. The evolution of my thought process and my ?ndings/re?ndings will be recorded in a journal, in which I will re?ect everyday my progress in the understanding of the popular arguments concerning the moral stature of animals in research. ! ! My personal experiences with the research I will be conducting will give me insight into the reasons why research on animals is conducted in the ?rst place. What fundamentally motivates researchers to work on animals? Is there a morality associated with an increase in cognitive ability that renders humans more moral than animals? Is all life perceived as having the same worth? Are all animals perceived to be equal among themselves in terms of moral stature or are there inequities there as well?! Funds from the Karbank Fellowship would be used to cover living expenses in Boston, in the form of room and board, and transportation to and from Boston. Additionally, funds will ask be used for the purchase of books by some of the above-mentioned authors, which will inform me further about the perceptions on the moral stature of research animals. I believe my proposal is worthy of support, because it attempts to explore questions which underlie the progress of science. And in the process it exposes me to theories and practical implications which can help me grow as both an ethical researcher and a philosopher of science.
Budget! ! 1. Housing Expenses: Weekly Cost= $285.46! Since I am staying back in Boston only for a month, no rentals through sublets/ apartments from external individuals/companies is possible (as they all ask for longer commitments than just a month). Boston University is the only place that allows for accommodation with a minimum 3-week commitment.! Total Cost: $285.46/week *4 weeks= $1141.84! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2. Food Allowance: According to the GSA.gov Per Diem allowance on the website, the lodging allowance for the month of May into June is $247, plus $69 for incident expenses.! Total Cost= $247+$69= $316! ! Screenshot of Per Diem Allowance:! 3. Transportation Costs (Train Tickets from New Jersey to Boston and Back):! Since the month of my research in Boston is after I go home to New Jersey for two weeks (to obtain the visa for the second half of my summer: fully funded research in
Lausanne, Switzerland), I am attaching the cost of train tickets from Boston to New Jersey and back. ! Cost of One-Way Trip from Metropark, NJ to South Station Boston on May 25th: $62! Cost of One-Way Return Trip from South Station, Boston to Metropark, NJ on June 26th: $62! Total Round-Trip Cost: $62+$62= $124! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Book Expenses: These include expenses to buy paperback, used copies of the books by the authors I had mentioned above, ordered via Half.com. Not all the authors are included as some of them have published online papers instead of books on the subject matter.! Peter Singer ¡°Animal Liberation¡±- $6.95 + $3.49 shipping= $10.44! Peter Carruthers ¡°The Animals Issue: Moral Theory in Practice¡±- $3.49 + $3.49= $6.98! David Nibert ¡°Animal Rights/Human Rights¡±- $15.00 + $3.49= $18.49! ! Total Cost of Books: $10.44 + $6.98 + $18.49= $35.91! ! ! Requested Funds= Housing Expenses + Food Allowance + Major Transportation Costs + Book Expenses= $1141.84 + $316 + $124 + $35.91! = $1617.75. ! !

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Karbank2016ProposalandBudget

  • 1. Perception of the Moral Stature of Animals in Modern Scientific Research ! ! In the case of animal-based scienti?c research, questions of the ¡®how¡¯ and ¡®why¡¯ are important because they are the cornerstones of questions concerning the ethical basis and evaluations of such procedures. In order to foster fact-based conversations about the ethical basis, decision making, and control over the moral stature of animals in scienti?c research, understanding of the very process by which scienti?c inquiry advances is important. ! ! For laboratory animal research, many opponents begin with an absolutist position based on the assumption that the use of animals in research is morally ?awed. Such an idea then renders the results of the research, bene?cial or not, irrelevant. Others argue for a more moderate system which calls for consideration of the relative harm and bene?ts of the research being conducted. An essential part of such an ethical process is the understanding of whether alternatives exist to meet the same outcome in scienti?c research. ! ! If I were to become a recipient of the Karbank Fellowship, I would be able to have the opportunity to explore further the moral stature of animals in modern scienti?c research as viewed by scientists working with animals, in addition to learning more about existing views concerning the use of animals in research. My exploration would consist of two parts: a practical and a theoretical part. Over the summer, I will be spending a month working in a laboratory on the Boston University Medical Campus. The laboratory I will be working in, the Zhdanova Lab of developmental Neurobiology, studies the role of ¡®biological timekeeping¡¯ mechanisms in the regulation of metabolism, especially in the cases of non-human primates (rhesus monkeys) and zebra?sh. As such, I will have the opportunity to experience ?rst hand the use of animals in research and perceptions of the moral stature of the animals among my colleagues and superiors (discovered through interviews of students and faculty alike working in the laboratory). the opportunity to observe the moral stature of animals as perceived by scientists presents me with the chance to gain a better grasp on the impact the outcomes of the research have on those perceptions. Additionally, the practical portion will also expose me to any potential alternatives to the use of animals in research, or the lack thereof. The theoretical portion of the Fellowship would allow me to delve further into the subject matter by exploring the works of authors such as Peter Singer, Tom Regan, Peter Carruthers, David Nibert, Michael Fox, Ruth Cigman, and Peter Miller. By gaining exposure to popular perceptions on the moral stature of animals, I will be able to attempt to formulate my own ethical views on the matter, which are important not just for my growth as a future scientist, but also as an ethical researcher. The evolution of my thought process and my ?ndings/re?ndings will be recorded in a journal, in which I will re?ect everyday my progress in the understanding of the popular arguments concerning the moral stature of animals in research. ! ! My personal experiences with the research I will be conducting will give me insight into the reasons why research on animals is conducted in the ?rst place. What fundamentally motivates researchers to work on animals? Is there a morality associated with an increase in cognitive ability that renders humans more moral than animals? Is all life perceived as having the same worth? Are all animals perceived to be equal among themselves in terms of moral stature or are there inequities there as well?! Funds from the Karbank Fellowship would be used to cover living expenses in Boston, in the form of room and board, and transportation to and from Boston. Additionally, funds will ask be used for the purchase of books by some of the above-mentioned authors, which will inform me further about the perceptions on the moral stature of research animals. I believe my proposal is worthy of support, because it attempts to explore questions which underlie the progress of science. And in the process it exposes me to theories and practical implications which can help me grow as both an ethical researcher and a philosopher of science.
  • 2. Budget! ! 1. Housing Expenses: Weekly Cost= $285.46! Since I am staying back in Boston only for a month, no rentals through sublets/ apartments from external individuals/companies is possible (as they all ask for longer commitments than just a month). Boston University is the only place that allows for accommodation with a minimum 3-week commitment.! Total Cost: $285.46/week *4 weeks= $1141.84! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2. Food Allowance: According to the GSA.gov Per Diem allowance on the website, the lodging allowance for the month of May into June is $247, plus $69 for incident expenses.! Total Cost= $247+$69= $316! ! Screenshot of Per Diem Allowance:! 3. Transportation Costs (Train Tickets from New Jersey to Boston and Back):! Since the month of my research in Boston is after I go home to New Jersey for two weeks (to obtain the visa for the second half of my summer: fully funded research in
  • 3. Lausanne, Switzerland), I am attaching the cost of train tickets from Boston to New Jersey and back. ! Cost of One-Way Trip from Metropark, NJ to South Station Boston on May 25th: $62! Cost of One-Way Return Trip from South Station, Boston to Metropark, NJ on June 26th: $62! Total Round-Trip Cost: $62+$62= $124! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Book Expenses: These include expenses to buy paperback, used copies of the books by the authors I had mentioned above, ordered via Half.com. Not all the authors are included as some of them have published online papers instead of books on the subject matter.! Peter Singer ¡°Animal Liberation¡±- $6.95 + $3.49 shipping= $10.44! Peter Carruthers ¡°The Animals Issue: Moral Theory in Practice¡±- $3.49 + $3.49= $6.98! David Nibert ¡°Animal Rights/Human Rights¡±- $15.00 + $3.49= $18.49! ! Total Cost of Books: $10.44 + $6.98 + $18.49= $35.91! ! ! Requested Funds= Housing Expenses + Food Allowance + Major Transportation Costs + Book Expenses= $1141.84 + $316 + $124 + $35.91! = $1617.75. ! !