Does Echinoderm research deserve an ethical consideration?

Abstract

Traditional ethics reflection centers the discussion in conflicts that affect humans. According toepistemology-based ethics, facts are needed to include other living beings as object of ethical consideration. Inthis sense, huge efforts have been made to demonstrate that animal suffering is real. However, the ethical reflectiononly reaches large vertebrates and some species of small ones, excluding invertebrates. However, a differentapproach (ethic-based epistemology) is equally valid and questions the assumptions of traditional ethics. Thisnew insight does not demand facts to demonstrate that living beings should be considered ethically, since ethicsshould be first than epistemology (facts). Thus, all living beings should be treated with respect and a relationshipbased on empathy should be established. In this context, we discuss all the advances made in echinodermresearch in the last 3000 years and the different uses humans made of these organisms. Finally we emphasizethat, when studying echinoderms, a reflection about our behavior as researchers is necessary, and we encouragethe use of ethically responsible research.