Creating and enhancing TRUSTworthy responsible and equitable partnerships in international research eNewsletter 2016, Issue 2
Why animals must matter globally. What TRUST can do for animals in research. Can animals trust humans? Prof. David Morton “The question is not, can they reason? Nor can they talk? But can they suffer?” Jeremy Bentham (1724-1832) “He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men.” Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) People’s concern with sentient animals commonly stems from their close relationship with them as companions, when farmed for food and clothing, or seeing them in the wild, on TV, or even in zoos. In other instances animals may be seen as
objects of aesthetic appreciation, as athletes, as pests, or as scientific tools. In whatever way they are viewed, and wherever they are in the world, it is difficult to deny, in the light of current scientific evidence, that they have similar, if not identical feelings to ourselves in their abilities to suffer, reason, and communicate. The subtleties are in understanding how they feel emotionally, and how they carry out these mental challenges in environments that are alien to our human experiences. Continued on page 06
David Morton Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Science and Ethics at the University of Birmingham, UK
The Importance of Equitable Research Relationships in
Horizon 2020 Dorian Karatzas
International cooperation in research is fundamental in order to tackle current scientific, societal and environmental challenges. Promoting such cooperation is a key priority of Horizon 2020, which is currently the world's largest multinational funding programme for research and innovation. Launched by the European Union, Horizon 2020 aims to create smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs, and places particular emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges [1].
promote innovation and access to scientific knowledge and technology is encouraged by Horizon 2020, which is open to participants from across the world. International cooperation in research is of particular value when it comes to global issues such as infectious diseases, food security and the protection of the environment [2]. Given that, in principle, these problems affect low and middle income countries (LMICs) most severely, cooperation between high income countries and LMICs and the adoption of a common approach in research is particularly important [2].
International cooperation in research as a means to Continued on page 02
The TRUST project
Dorian Karatzas Head of the Ethics Sector, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation
The TRUST Project is an EU funded project which aims to catalyse a global collaborative effort to improve adherence to high ethical standards around the world. In an interdisciplinary collaboration between multi-level ethics bodies, policy advisors, policy makers, civil society organisations, funding organisations, industry, and academic scholars from a range of disciplines, this project combines long-standing, highly respected efforts to build international governance structures with new exciting network opportunities in Europe, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, China and Russia. Read more at www.trust-project.eu/