AR-News: Network promotes alternatives to the use of animals in education

[סמדר]

From: interniche-l at interniche.org

Two national newspaper articles from Portugal about alternatives in education:



NETWORK PROMOTES ALTERNATIVES TO THE USE OF ANIMALS IN
EDUCATION

InterNICHE is in Portugal spreading the word on new methods that replace the
sacrifice of animals in scientific education

- Publico newspaper, Portugal, 14 May 2004

by Joana Filipe

Virtual reality, CD-ROMs and interactive videos can replace the traditional use
of animals in the lab classes of biology and veterinary medicine. That is what
Nick Jukes, InterNICHE network Co-ordinator, came to Portugal to defend - the
network promotes, at a global level, alternative methods to the use of living
beings in life science education - in a circle of conferences in conjunction with
the Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of Lisbon.

Animal dissection is part of the biology teaching program for secondary
schools, and it is practiced in several colleges and faculties in the country. Since
long ago alternative methods have been used in a number countries, but they
haven't yet found an echo in Portugal. This was explained by Maria Webb, the
conference cycle organiser and InterNICHE contact in Portugal. "This cycle aims
to make people aware of what exists relating to this issue" the biologist says.

The alternative methods that make use of interactive videos, CD-ROM
simulations, computerised mannekins and plastic models, to dissect a frog, for
example, or to study the anatomy of a dog, can be more efficient in pedagogical
terms, since the students have the opportunity to repeat over and over again the
same experiment. In the long run this ends up being a more economical solution
for schools.

Besides, Maria Webb says, students are not desensitised due to contact with
the unnecessary death of the animal that is subjected to the experiments. "We
do not want doctors insensitive to a patient's pain and not caring about
another's suffering".

Computer technologies allow for the rigorous simulation of real situations. "The
touch of the skin, the introduction of a needle, all that exists in virtual reality",
argues Maria Webb. "We have evolved from the technological point of view,
and we also have to evolve in terms of values. And the top value is that of life".

Another alternatives consist of 'ethically-sourced animal cadavers'. Schools and
faculties can use cadavers of animals that have died naturally or have been
euthanised to end their suffering, with no need to use living beings reared or
bred specifically for the purpose of these experiments.

All these tools are available for loan at the InterNICHE website
(www.interniche.org). This network of students, teachers and animal rights
advocates was created in 1988 in Europe, becoming a global network in 2000. For
the last two and half years Portugal has been part of the network through Maria
Webb. Nick Jukes is in Portugal to spread the word on alternatives to the use of
animals in science education and will be present today at the Institute of
Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto. After the conference, a
demonstration with CD-ROMs and videos will take place, available to all
teachers interested in this matter.

[Unauthorised translation. See www.publico.pt for original in Portuguese]




HOW TO STUDY ANIMALS WITHOUT TORTURING THEM

Virtual reality labs, models, mannekins and videos are just some of the
alternatives

Students can also learn by using computer programs, videos, and even self-
experimentation

- Correio da Manhã newspaper (Morning Post, Portugal), 12th May 2004

by Edgar Nascimento

It is possible to teach future veterinarians, zoologists and medical doctors
without having to dissect or cause suffering to animals. There are at least 500
possible alternatives to the study of an animal body that avoid the use of living
beings in each experiment or in each lab.

Nick Jukes, Co-ordinator of InterNICHE (International Network for Humane
Education) was at the Faculty of Science and Technology, New University of
Lisbon, to explain which alternatives can be used to study animals whilst at the
same time avoid the suffering and death of mice, frogs, earthworms, dogs and
many others.

Through the use of films and recording of previously performed dissections, we
can obtain an alternative. According to Nick Jukes, "They are cheaper than the
use of animals at the university level". It is also possible to get models,
mannekins or animal behaviour simulators. Another example presented refers to
a computer simulation, using specific software which allows students to perform
virtual dissections. "They improve teaching quality and save money" stressed
Nick Jukes. The software costs about 300 euros "but it can be used for many
years".

In order to avoid pain and the death of animals used in lab classes, there are still
other alternatives. One example refers to the use of ethically-sourced cadavers,
that is, those obtained from animals that died naturally (or due to irreversible
clinical situations). Another solution can be work with sick animals in vet clinics.
In some situations it is also possible to use self-experimentation with the
students, whenever the work does not demand the use of animals, as for
instance, to measure blood pressure.

[Unauthorised translation. See www.correiomanha.pt for original in Portuguese]



_______________________________________________
interniche-l mailing list
interniche-l at interniche.org
http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/interniche-l

the wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. he is in front of it - axel munthe

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."      Margaret Mead
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/attachments/20040520/89448a58/attachment.html