Willems RA and Biederman D. A survey of U.S. veterinary schools for alternatives to the use of live animals in teaching [abstract]. ALTEX. 2005;22(Special Issue):33


Abstract

The purpose of this study is to survey the veterinary schools in the United States to determine how those schools are currently using live animals for teaching their students. Veterinary schools in the U.S. are registered as research facilities with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required by the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Federal rules promulgated under the AWA require the schools to consider alternatives to painful procedures on animals used in teaching, employing the principle of the “Three Rs” of Russell and Burch (replacement, reduction and refinement). The surveys for this study were conducted by USDA veterinarians responsible for inspecting those schools for compliance with the AWA in their use of animals. The surveys cover the 5 year period from 2000 to 2004. Using data from the surveys, this study will attempt to determine how U.S. veterinary schools have replaced the use of live animals with alternatives in the various courses in their veterinary curricula. The study will show the types of veterinary courses in which live animals are being used for teaching, the teaching procedures in which these animals are used, the number and species of animals being used, and what alternatives to the use of live animals the veterinary schools in the U.S. have employed over the past 5 years. The study will also attempt to identify current trends in the use of live animals for teaching veterinary students.





Link to journal: ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation