Question

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.

Daniel is a junior psychologist in a prestigious research institute. Daniel studies the effects of sleep deprivation on rats. One of the researchers at the institute uses primates to study bonding between family members. Daniel notices that the primates are stored directly in the lab, rather than in the approved animal holding area. Although no animals are being harmed by this action, Daniel knows it is in violation of the laws governing animal research. Daniel also realizes that if the oversight is discovered, then the university may lose its ability to do research with animals and he may lose his job.
Select the option in which Daniel acts unethically.
A.
Daniel makes a phone call to report the violation to the government.
B.
Daniel speaks directly to the supervising researcher on the project.
C.
Daniel reports the violation to his direct research supervisor.
D.
Daniel minds his own business and continues his own research.

Answer 1

If you are asking 'unethically' then your account is D.

Answer 2

The answer is D. Daniel minds his own business and continues his own research.

There are laws that protect subjects of research, whether they are animals or people, the violation of these laws means that the research is unethical despite the importance of the research or of its results. By ingoring a violation of the laws that govern animal research, Daniel is also acting unethically since he is aware of such laws and he is part of the scientific community.