Research with nonhuman animals
I am writing regarding former APA President Antonio Puente’s column “The Importance of Research with Nonhuman Animals” (October 2017). Given that nonhuman animals are, like humans, sentient beings who experience fear and pain, how can we justify subjecting them to experiments that certainly cause them fear and pain? Simply because we have the power to do so? Yes, the findings of research done on nonhuman animals may benefit humans, but does that make such research morally right?
APA, which should be the standard-bearer of ethics for psychologists, should not justify and support inflicting psychological suffering on other sentient beings.
Michael Radkowsky, PsyD
Washington, D.C.
Order in the courts
Thanks for the January article on Jason Cantone (“Improving Order in the Courts”) and the Federal Judicial Center. It was revealing and oh so very relevant.
Harriet E. Heath, PhD
Winter Harbor, Maine
Our favorite tweets
Re: “Becoming a Great Mentor” (January)
@MLSteinberg Mentoring PhD students is one of the best parts of #academia for me. The section on ‘challenging your mentee’ in this @APA_Monitor article was especially interesting. Looking forward to the rest of this series!
Re: “APA Issues First-Ever Guidelines for Practice With Men and Boys” (January)
@TheMindfulMatch Grateful for the APA's work on recognizing the harmful impact of traditional masculine ideology on men—excited for increased attention directed at men’s mental health and treatment!
Re: “Despair in Venezuela” (January)
@SandraMattar23 Despair in Venezuela—Thanks @APA_Monitor for highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela!
Re: “Working to Protect Children Worldwide” (November)
@katrina_MSc How cool! These are exactly the type of programs that help facilitate breaking the cycle when it comes to trauma.
Re: “A Growing Demand for Sport Psychologists” (November)
@APADiv19 Great article @APA_Monitor and thanks for the mention about military psychologists doing similar work.