Studies Database

Howard B, Nevalainen T, Vergara P, Johner C, Santos AIM, Kasermann HP. Replacement and in vivo learning objectives in European competence training. Paper presented at: The Three Rs - Together it's possible. 8th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences; 2011 Aug 21-25; Montreal, Canada

The FELASA Accreditation Board reviews courses and curricula which follow FELASA guidelines for the four European competence categories (A-D). Laboratory animal specialists (D) will have gained both theoretical and practical competences in laboratory animal science, which may or may not involve the use of animals. Caretakers (A) must be well-acquainted with the behaviour of animals, observing signs of illness or poor welfare, and correct procedures for handling and restraint; training is inevitably practically-based, preferably under guidance of skilled practitioners. Category B persons, who conduct experiments, must work sensitively and with minimal impact on animal well- being. Although the use of animals can be minimised, at some point the technical expertise associated with working with sentient animals needs to be acquired under close supervision. Category C persons, who design and oversee experiments, do not always need to acquire practical expertise in their work, but they must clearly understand its impact on the biology and ethology of the animals being used. Although this can be taught using a basic theoretical approach, often with considerable success, it may be necessary to present these attitudes within a context in which animals are actually used. Survey findings (Howard, 2000; Carlson et al., 2001) suggest that students proposing to enter careers involving whole-animal research gain a great deal from supervised work with animals whilst attending FELASA- type courses; for those not entering such employment in the near future, the case for attending in vivo practical classes is less apparent.
References
Carlsson, H.-E., Hagelin, J., Hoglund, A. U. and Hau, J. (2001). Undergraduate and postgraduate students' responses to mandatory courses (FELASA category C) in laboratory animal science. Lab. Anim. 35, 188-193. Howard, B. R. (2000). First experiences: animals in undergraduate courses. Dissertation submitted in part fulfilment of the med. degree, University of Sheffield.

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