Testing drugs on animals: a test case for socially responsible investment

摘要

Animal testing provides an extreme example of a campaigning issue which exposes the companies involved, and their investors, to risk. Socially responsible investors (SRI), in particular, should address the moral aspects that arise, in terms of both the use of animals in testing procedures and the tactics of campaigning groups. While the genuine disquiet of many people at the use of animals in this way must be acknowledged, there is a need, as a part of the rational process of investment, to understand the reasons for their use. Inevitably, there will be limits to the specialist knowledge of a fund manager but efforts should be made when practising SRI to engage with companies on the maintenance of good practice and to be aware of initiatives to find possible alternatives to animal use. This approach should be communicated to clients as part of a transparent and open framework of reporting, which takes account of the need for reasoned debate.