... exert a greater degree of control over them. Some types of experiments would be unethical to perform on humans, various forms of deprivation for example. Contrary to public belief, the majority of research carried out on animals is in the form of field experiments. This involves manipulating some part of the animal's natural environment and raises certain ethical concerns. Firstly, tampering with nature is questionable as disruption may have unforeseen long-term effects. Second, ethology does not often have any direct benefit to human beings. However, aside the sometimes stressful and invasive processes, it has improved life for pets, zoo animals endangered species etc as our understanding has increased. In that sense, the outcome is the greater good for the greatest number. This is the approach taken by utilitarian argument. If the gain (pleasure and happiness) outweighs the pain (suffering) then it is considered ethically acceptable. It is also stated by this ...

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