Naming the Ethological Subject

Science in Context
Etienne S Benson

Abstract

Argument In recent decades, through the work of Jane Goodall and other ethologists, the practice of giving personal names to nonhuman animals who are the subjects of scientific research has become associated with claims about animal personhood and scientific objectivity. While critics argue that such naming practices predispose the researcher toward anthropomorphism, supporters suggest that it sensitizes the researcher to individual differences and social relations. Both critics and supporters agree that naming tends to be associated with the recognition of individual animal rights. The history of the naming of research animals since the late nineteenth century shows, however, that the practice has served a variety of purposes, most of which have raised few ethical or epistemological concerns. Names have been used to identify research animals who play dual roles as pets, workers, or patients, to enhance their market value, and to facilitate their identification in the field. The multifaceted history of naming suggests both that the use of personal names by Goodall and others is less of a radical break with previous practices than it might first appear to be and that the use of personal names to recognize the individuality, sent...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1992·Isis; an International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences·S E Lederer
Aug 7, 1998·Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps·C W Scott
Aug 10, 1999·Isis; an International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences·O E Dror
Feb 5, 2000·Neurologic Clinics·M O Farber, E T Mannix
Mar 7, 1964·Lancet·T E BEAVAN
Dec 13, 2005·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·Antonis Kattamis
Jul 31, 2009·Endeavour·Georgina M Montgomery
Dec 2, 2010·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Lauren A O'ConnellHans A Hofmann
Mar 1, 2012·Historical Studies in the Natural Sciences·Tania Munz
Nov 26, 2013·Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences·Kristoffer Whitney

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 31, 2021·History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences·Raf De Bont
May 25, 2021·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Alexandra Horowitz

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine
J Duffy
The Journal of the American Dental Association
H R Belkin
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved