2.6.5Cell Structure
Ethical Issues with Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies — AQA A Level Biology 7402 Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 8 parts Lesson 41 of 47 1 quiz
Lesson summary
2.6.5 Ethical Issues with Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies — AQA A Level Biology 7402 notes: Evaluate ethical issues surrounding the use of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, including animal use, testing, and individual versus societal interests.Ethical questions concern what…
- balanced arguments
- Clinical trials
- Safety and side effects
- Compulsory vaccination
- Fair distribution
- Manufacture
Section 1 of 8Approaching ethics in biology
Ethical questions concern what is right or wrong; they cannot be answered by data alone, but data informs the debate.
Balanced arguments
In exam questions you should be able to give balanced arguments, weighing the benefits against the risks and costs, and recognise that people can reach different conclusions according to their values.
Relevant considerations include the welfare of animals, the rights of the individual, the benefit to the community, fairness of access, and the safety of the product.
Section 2 of 8Ethical issues with vaccines
Testing
Testing vaccines are tested on animals, then on human volunteers.
- Some people object to animal testing on the grounds of suffering;
- others argue the benefits to human health justify it if the animals are treated humanely and the number is minimised (the principle of the 3Rs: replace, reduce, refine).
Clinical trials
Clinical trials participants must give informed consent, and trials use placebo groups; there is a question about the risks to volunteers and about withholding a likely effective vaccine from the control group.
Safety and side effects
Safety and side effects a vaccine may cause rare but serious adverse effects. Is it right to expect an individual to take a small risk to protect society?
Compulsory vaccination
Compulsory vaccination should it be required to maintain herd immunity? This conflicts with individual autonomy and parental rights. Some people have religious or personal objections.
Fair distribution
Fair distribution when supplies are limited, who should get the vaccine first, such as healthcare workers, the elderly, or those most at risk? Rich countries may buy most of the supply, leaving poor countries without access.
Manufacture
Manufacture some vaccines are grown in hens' eggs or in cell cultures, which some groups find objectionable.
Section 3 of 8Ethical issues with monoclonal antibodies
Animal use in production
Animal use in production mice are injected with antigens and plasma cells are taken, often by killing the animal; the mice that develop tumours (to collect antibody-rich fluid) suffer. Alternatives such as cell culture reduce the use of animals.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials some trials have produced severe reactions in volunteers. Participants must be fully informed of the risks.
Cost and access
Cost and access treatments are expensive, so health services must decide how to use limited funds, and some patients may not get a drug that could help them.
Use of the products
Use of the products tests such as pregnancy tests are generally accepted, but use of such technology (for example to test for disease markers) raises questions of privacy and what is done with the results.
Section 4 of 8Balancing benefits and risks
| Issue | In favour | Against |
|---|---|---|
| Animal testing | Safe human products, saves lives | Suffering of animals; results may not apply to humans |
| Compulsory vaccination | Protects community, prevents outbreaks | Loss of choice, personal belief |
| Expensive antibody drugs | Effective, targeted treatment | Cost to health services; inequality |
A good evaluation uses evidence, such as the reduction in cases of measles after a vaccination programme, and the outbreaks seen after coverage falls.
Scientific
Be careful to separate scientific facts (vaccines do not cause the diseases they prevent) from ethical questions (should vaccination be compulsory?).
Also be careful not to use emotional language; instead give clear, reasoned points on both sides and reach a justified conclusion.
Section 5 of 8Ethical thinking in exam answers
Frame ethical answers in a clear structure: describe the issue, give an argument for, give an argument against, and make a conclusion.
1
Think about the groups involved: patients, healthy individuals, animals, health services and society.
2
For vaccines, the main tension is between the interests of the individual and the benefits to the community.
3
For monoclonal antibodies the tension is between animal welfare and medical benefit, and between cost and access.
4
Use real examples where you can, such as the withdrawal of a trial after severe reactions or the unequal global distribution of vaccines.
5
Terms such as informed consent, welfare, justice and autonomy will make your answers more precise.
6
Also explain how regulation reduces ethical problems: ethics committees approve research, there are laws limiting the use of animals and requiring that alternatives be used where possible, and vaccines are licensed only after trials of safety and efficacy.
Section 6 of 8Exam-style questions
Discuss the ethical issues involved in using animals to produce monoclonal antibodies. [4]4 marks
11. Mice are injected with antigens and may suffer; some are killed to collect plasma cells.22. Supporters argue the antibodies benefit human health, such as cancer treatment and diagnosis.33. Opponents say animals have rights and suffering should be avoided, and suggest alternatives such as cell culture.44. Conclusion considering that harm should be minimised and the benefit justifies use if animals are treated humanely.Some parents refuse to have their children vaccinated. Evaluate the argument that vaccination should be compulsory. [4]4 marks
11. For: high coverage needed for herd immunity, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated.22. For: reduces outbreaks and deaths.33. Against: individual choice and consent, religious or personal beliefs; small risk of side effects.44. Conclusion with justification (e.g. benefits to population outweigh risks for serious diseases).State two ethical issues in carrying out clinical trials of a new vaccine. [2]2 marks
1. Participants must give informed consent and be told the risks.
2. Use of placebo means some participants do not get a potentially useful vaccine / testing on animals first.
Section 7 of 8Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ethics | Moral principles about what is right and wrong |
| Informed consent | Agreement given after being told the risks and benefits |
| Placebo | Inactive treatment given to a control group |
| Clinical trial | Study of a treatment in human volunteers |
| Autonomy | Right of an individual to make their own decisions |
| Herd immunity | Protection of a community when enough people are immune |
| 3Rs | Replace, reduce, refine: principles of humane animal research |
Section 8 of 8Exam technique
1
Treating ethical issues as having one right answer - give both sides of the argument.
2
Mixing scientific and ethical issues, such as claiming vaccines are unethical because they cause disease.
3
Using only opinions with no evidence or reasons.
4
Forgetting the issues of consent, cost and fair access.
5
Forgetting that benefit to the population is part of the vaccine debate.
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