Ethical considerations in lethal sampling of aquatic vertebrate hosts in parasitological studies.
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
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Trends in parasitology
2025
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| _version_ | 1868266125092978688 |
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| author | Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd |
| author_facet | Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd |
| collection | PubMed - marine biology |
| contents | Ethical considerations in lethal sampling of aquatic vertebrate hosts in parasitological studies. Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd Animals Vertebrates Parasitology Host-Parasite Interactions Animal Welfare Aquatic Organisms Studying parasites in aquatic vertebrate hosts is vital for understanding parasite diversity, life cycles, host-parasite associations and parasite-environment interactions. However, such research often requires euthanizing hosts, raising ethical concerns amid increasingly stringent animal welfare standards. This opinion article examines whether and when killing aquatic vertebrate hosts for parasitological studies is ethically justifiable. We outline current ethical regulations and review processes, then consider legitimate reasons for host sacrifice - such as accurate parasite identification, biodiversity assessment, and ecosystem health monitoring. Emphasising the multiple Rs framework in parasitological research we propose practical strategies to minimise harm, including non-lethal diagnostics and improved methodologies. Our goal is to foster critical reflection and promote more ethical, innovative approaches within aquatic parasitology. |
| format | Artículo científico |
| id | pubmed_41260967 |
| institution | PubMed |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Trends in parasitology |
| record_format | pubmed |
| spellingShingle | Ethical considerations in lethal sampling of aquatic vertebrate hosts in parasitological studies. Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd Animals Vertebrates Parasitology Host-Parasite Interactions Animal Welfare Aquatic Organisms Ethical considerations in lethal sampling of aquatic vertebrate hosts in parasitological studies. Smit, Nico J Selbach, Christian Wepener, Victor Hilken, Gero Sures, Bernd Animals Vertebrates Parasitology Host-Parasite Interactions Animal Welfare Aquatic Organisms Studying parasites in aquatic vertebrate hosts is vital for understanding parasite diversity, life cycles, host-parasite associations and parasite-environment interactions. However, such research often requires euthanizing hosts, raising ethical concerns amid increasingly stringent animal welfare standards. This opinion article examines whether and when killing aquatic vertebrate hosts for parasitological studies is ethically justifiable. We outline current ethical regulations and review processes, then consider legitimate reasons for host sacrifice - such as accurate parasite identification, biodiversity assessment, and ecosystem health monitoring. Emphasising the multiple Rs framework in parasitological research we propose practical strategies to minimise harm, including non-lethal diagnostics and improved methodologies. Our goal is to foster critical reflection and promote more ethical, innovative approaches within aquatic parasitology. |
| title | Ethical considerations in lethal sampling of aquatic vertebrate hosts in parasitological studies. |
| topic | Animals Vertebrates Parasitology Host-Parasite Interactions Animal Welfare Aquatic Organisms |
| url | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41260967/ |