Ethics and Live Tissue Training
The Ethical Dilemma of Live Tissue Training in the Military Environment
By
Aaron Smith
22 September 2012
Thesis: Over the past 11 years to date, the United States has endured almost 8000 casualties from two major conflicts (iCasualties.org, 2012). Although this number is staggering, we have also seen soldiers surviving injuries that were previously fatal (Philpott, 2005). This increase in survivability is largely due to the advancements in medical research and applied training. When it comes to military trauma, our warrior medics should be equipped with the most realistic training attainable. Although several simulation aids are used to provide this training, other methods such as live tissue training are still employed. In recent years, this controversial “fringe science” of live tissue in military training has been aired in the media, raising many ethical debates. Although the United States Government has identified that this type of training is legal and authorized, many animal rights groups are claiming that this method is unethical, stating it is “as outdated as civil war rifles” (PETA, 2008). Live tissue training in the military environment has been proven to enhance the survivability of soldiers despite its perceived mistreatment of animals. The ethical dilemma faced in this situation is whether the harm to animals for trauma training is justified; is the guaranteed trauma and taking of an animal’s life outweighed by the potential rescue of a human’s on the battlefield?
Issue:
The ethical dilemma faced in live tissue training is whether applied harm to animals for the purpose of trauma training is ethically justified. With the advances in medical training aids, combat medics are becoming more and more comfortable in treating devastating injuries on the battlefield. Simulators now range from moulage equipment used to “dress up a casualty,” to breathing and bleeding mannequins controlled with computer systems. Although these advances have
By
Aaron Smith
22 September 2012
Thesis: Over the past 11 years to date, the United States has endured almost 8000 casualties from two major conflicts (iCasualties.org, 2012). Although this number is staggering, we have also seen soldiers surviving injuries that were previously fatal (Philpott, 2005). This increase in survivability is largely due to the advancements in medical research and applied training. When it comes to military trauma, our warrior medics should be equipped with the most realistic training attainable. Although several simulation aids are used to provide this training, other methods such as live tissue training are still employed. In recent years, this controversial “fringe science” of live tissue in military training has been aired in the media, raising many ethical debates. Although the United States Government has identified that this type of training is legal and authorized, many animal rights groups are claiming that this method is unethical, stating it is “as outdated as civil war rifles” (PETA, 2008). Live tissue training in the military environment has been proven to enhance the survivability of soldiers despite its perceived mistreatment of animals. The ethical dilemma faced in this situation is whether the harm to animals for trauma training is justified; is the guaranteed trauma and taking of an animal’s life outweighed by the potential rescue of a human’s on the battlefield?
Issue:
The ethical dilemma faced in live tissue training is whether applied harm to animals for the purpose of trauma training is ethically justified. With the advances in medical training aids, combat medics are becoming more and more comfortable in treating devastating injuries on the battlefield. Simulators now range from moulage equipment used to “dress up a casualty,” to breathing and bleeding mannequins controlled with computer systems. Although these advances have
References: Associated Press. (2008, July 18). Army to Shoot Live Pigs to Save Wounded Soldiers ' Lives. Retrieved from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,385545,00.html DMI Hagmann, J. H. (2012, March 12). Operational Emergency Medical Skills course live tissue training pre-brief. (A. B. Smith, Interviewer) iCasualties.org Philpott, T. (2005, November 5). Rise in Survival Rate. Retrieved from Military.com: http://www.military.com/forums/0%2C15240%2C80183%2C00.html Smith IV, L Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2010). Managing Business Ethics, 5th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.