Concluding remarks
By now, it should be clear that the average practicing veterinarian meets ethical dilemmas on a day-to-day basis. The term 'dilemma' implies that generally accepted moral standards, or formal rules and regulations, do not provide clear guidance towards a morally just solution. There is an ever-increasing awareness of animal welfare amongst the general public and an increasing notion that animals represent a moral subject 'in their own right', quite independent from their usefulness to man. Thus, the professional dilemmas faced by veterinarians are becoming more complicated and although moral intuition is indispensable it is not sufficient to solve these complex problems. Consent on ethical aspects of commonly occurring dilemmas should give rise to the adoption of a collective policy, which can then be formalised legally when it is considered necessary. However, novel dilemmas cannot be solved in this way which is when the 'professional' must be capable of dealing with the situation. The interests of all parties concerned, including those of the animal(s), should be considered carefully and then discussed with other professionals and with lay people, to give the debate a wider perspective. This process of informed decision-making requires skills, not only prior knowledge, which the veterinary profession should make an effort to acquire.

Finally, the development of decision-making schemes clearly enhances the quality of communication because there is a protocol to follow, which may be described to anyone who questions the conclusion. The overall result is greater justification of any moral decisions made.

References...

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