Science experiments - Atheist views?

[Diamond-Deist]

I just wanted to know as Atheists what your thoughts were on scientific experiments done in the name of mankinds advancement.

I know it's more about personal morality but beliefs play a big part in that, how far should we go to get what we need?

I read this on wiki please take a minute to read it .....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_of_despair

After reading this I only had one thought, If I were in alley way and Harlow was there two I think only one of us would be leaving it.

A lot of us find it easy to go by with hear no evil see no evil, but I couldn't help being absolutely disgusted thinking about those poor little mites not being able to make any sense of their existance or why this is happening, I mean new borns with no prior knowledge of life .... that fking sucks.

[Tiberius]

Harlow's research, though controversial, has provided insight into the behaviors of abused children and has improved methods of providing care to institutionalized children. While many of his experiments would be considered unethical today, their nature and Harlow's descriptions of them heightened awareness of the treatment of laboratory animals and thus paradoxically contributed somewhat to today's ethics regulations.

Ends justify the means?

[Zen Badger]

Harlow strikes me as a sad, bitter man stiking out at the universe the only way he knew how after his wifes cancer. For sure he would not be able to conduct his experiments now.

Interesting to compare his work to the institutionalised child abuse of the Catholic church, who don't even have the excuse of scientific research to fall back on.

[Diamond-Deist]

Harlow's research, though controversial, has provided insight into the behaviors of abused children and has improved methods of providing care to institutionalized children. While many of his experiments would be considered unethical today, their nature and Harlow's descriptions of them heightened awareness of the treatment of laboratory animals and thus paradoxically contributed somewhat to today's ethics regulations.

Ends justify the means?

While I appreciate some of the aspects he got from the experiments in my opinion the frequency in number that he carried out to me is excessive and I have to take exception that even though I am certainly not squeamish and I do believe in ends justify the means ..... there are limits.

If it was as simple as ends justify the means they may as well of carried that experiment out on human baby's and get the quicker answer?

I'm extremely protective of animals I find there innocence precious and to trash that innocence of a newly born baby monkey leaving it freaked out and suicidal through lack of affection and care while you sit back and watch it's reactions is inhumane and unholy and I would not allow it in my presence.

[Anomalocaris]

You overrate your presence.

[Diamond-Deist]

You overrate your presence.

Would you like to explain to everyone what that opinion you just expressed has to do with the subject?

Maybe your presence is one I could just ignore?

(forgot about this one, but then that's understandable).

[Anomalocaris]

What does what you would allow in your presence have to do with what atheists, which you are not, thinks?

Btw, your attitude towards my presence neither effects my presence nor warrants my notice.

[Diamond-Deist]

What does what you would allow in your presence have to do with what atheists, which you are not, thinks?

Btw, your attitude towards my presence neither effects my presence nor warrants my notice.

So only atheists are allowed an opinion? I created this thread and as I'm asking surely I should be able to express my particular views?

Don't need your permission anyway so that's a redundant question.

[Napoléon]

So only atheists are allowed an opinion? I created this thread and as I'm asking surely I should be able to express my particular views?

Yeah but that's the problem. You've got that many atheists on ignore you show your true intentions when it comes to hearing what other people think. You're only interested in hearing your own words.
Come on an ATHEIST forum, to hear ATHEISTS opinions and ask ATHEISTS a question, but really, you just came to listen to yourself.

Too bad you can't listen to my atheist opinion hmm? Damn shame.

[Rayaan]

I just wanted to know as Atheists what your thoughts were on scientific experiments done in the name of mankinds advancement.

I think this is mainly a moral issue, in my opinion, because atheists are only those who do not believe in God.

Their views on other things like scientific experiments and mankind's advancement could be made up of a variety of different opinions and they don't necessarily have to be related to their disbelief in God (or them being an atheist). However, I understand that you wanted to ask this question to the atheists in this forum specifically. So that's okay. I'm interested to know their veiws as well. The only problem is that you won't be able to read the replies of those who are in your ignore list (as said by Napoleon).