> Jerry Bromenshenk
> The real change will come when institutions add insects to list of animals subject to Institutional Review of 
> experiments and protocols.  My guess, none want to add this unless public pressure forces it on them. 

In my UK institution these questions are already being asked (from outside) and it's clear that local ethics committees are starting to wrangle with the issue. 

Ethics, like safety regulation, is a dangerous area for an institution to 'go it alone' as - almost always - there is insufficient expertise or some sort of agenda. Far better it is tackled nationally by those with the relevant expertise.

In the meantime, we ensure that our standard laboratory procedures minimise any potential suffering by using humane methods wherever and whenever possible.

And yes ... the irony of considering the ethics of a small number of experimental bees with the 'suffering' of poorly-managed, mite- and virus-riddled colonies is striking.

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