Darryl RJ Macer, Yukiko Asada, Miho Tsuzuki, Shiro Akiyama, Nobuko Y. Macer. Christchurch, New Zealand: Eubios Ethics Institute, 1996.

Growing concern on ethics in research and medicine has prompted the investigation into the need for a formal curriculum in the field of bioethics.

The survey conducted by Macer and co-workers sought to identify the recognition, perception and inculcation of bioethical values in high schools in Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Although an impersonal form of survey (questionnaire) had been used without direct personal contact; it is perhaps a telling comment on the state and awareness of this concept that less than 50% replies (collectively) could be obtained, despite reminders. This is a stark statement on the prevalent situation as the subjects to whom these questionnaires were directed were teachers, who are instrumental in shaping young minds and moulding their thought processes. In view of the fact that biology and social studies teachers were contacted it is but natural that animal experiments were the prime concern. The next most telling issues concerned in vitro fertilisation, surrogate motherhood, prenatal diagnosis, abortions, use of pesticides, genetic engineering and genetic manipulation in plants and animals.

Use of animals in behavioural experiments as well as in dissections is encountered in almost two-thirds of the schools from which replies were received. The concerns voiced were similar, whether the primary objective of education was achieved with animal experiments, whether animals could be substituted by inanimate objects, whether observation in nature can replace the experiments or a facility to return the animal to nature could be implemented.

A touching response was that it is sad to use any kind of creatures for experiments, but the strength of the opinion weakened for animals of lower order, from invertebrates downward to plankton. The concern for vertebrates is more than that for invertebrates, and lesser still for the lower order invertebrates.

Whereas it was deemed acceptable to carry out genetic manipulation for increasing the yield of cash crops and increase the yield of milk in cattle, respondents frowned upon attempts to harvest the rich genetic pools of tribals of Afro-Asian nations. Perhaps optimal practice of bioethics will finally imply treading the middle path of attempting to do the best for the most rather than striving for the unattainable ideal.