Peckova M. Animal Experiments in Education – The Situation in the Czech Republic. Poster session presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

Before the fall of the communist regime in 1989, protection of living creatures was not considered an important issue in the Czech Republic. In education, both at high school and at university level, animal experimentation was a conventional part of the courses related to the biological sciences. Laboratory animals were readily available and inexpensive, and there was almost no legislation controlling their use or housing, so the animals were used for almost any purpose. The one exception was the use of wild frogs, which was forbidden because they are a protected species. The political change at the end of eighties brought a fundamental change in society’s attitudes in a number of different areas. The protection and welfare of animals became one such issue. As a result of increased public interest, the media began to address animal welfare topics, and in 1992 the animal protection law was passed.

The author managed a project funded by the RSPCA investigating the history of animal use in education and the culture of change within society and scientific circles in the Czech Republic. She researched the current use of animals and alternatives, and along with teachers identified practical classes where specific alternatives could replace harmful animal use. The alternatives were subsequently bought and a degree of replacement was achieved across the country.