Which codes and policies emphasize animal research as a moral imperative?

The correct choice highlights the importance of ethical considerations in animal research as articulated in Principle 3 of the Nuremberg Code and the Public Health Service (PHS) regulations.

Principle 3 of the Nuremberg Code states that the experiment must be conducted so as to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury to the subjects. This principle serves as a critical foundation for the ethical treatment of research animals, establishing that any research involving animals must prioritize their welfare. The Nuremberg Code arose in the aftermath of World War II as a response to unethical experimentation, underscoring the need for moral imperatives in research.

The PHS regulations complement this by mandating that any research involving vertebrate animals must adhere to ethical principles related to humane treatment, ensuring that animals are not subjected to unnecessary pain and distress. These regulations guide institutions in the responsible conduct of animal research, emphasizing the moral obligation researchers have to treat animals with care and respect.

In combination, these two elements strongly reinforce the idea that animal research is not just a procedural requirement, but also a moral one, with the overarching goal of minimizing suffering while contributing to human and animal health. This rationale is why this choice is recognized as the correct and most comprehensive representation of the moral