Gotoh E, Nakano M. Outreach for Alternatives in Japanese Veterinary Education. Paper presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

This paper presents the activities of the ‘Network of Japanese Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Education’, with particular focus on the trend towards ethical education in veterinary universities in Japan, the Alternatives Tour in 2003, the work of the InterNICHE National Contact for Japan, and other on-going activity.

In Japanese veterinary university, many animal experiments and related practices, which are not in line with the concept of the 3Rs, are still conducted. However, in recent years, some changes have been observed. Some teachers have developed alternatives to the use of animals, and some practices have been replaced with alternatives. Besides that, there is an increasing number of students who do not accept and sometimes express objections to conventional harmful animal use of animals from an ethical position. Such students have begun to organise groups for animal welfare within and beyond universities.

The current InterNICHE National Contact, veterinarian Dr Makiko Nakano, graduated from university in 2000 without being involved in any animal experiments during her 6 years of veterinary education. This had significant influence on conventional animal use in Japanese veterinary universities. In particular, her graduate thesis about alternatives in education has received much attention from both teachers and students. In 2002, Dr Makiko Nakano and Dr Atsuko Kobayashi established the ‘Network of Japanese Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Education’ so that students could have opportunities to work together to introduce alternatives in veterinary education. This network consists of veterinary and other students, veterinarians, medical doctors, lawyers, teachers and animal activists. It has a mailing list, with participants usually communicating via e-mail and having a meeting or a seminar once a month.

The largest event for the network was the Alternatives Tour in 2003.This tour was organised by two veterinary students, including the speaker, and was supported by InterNICHE and veterinary teachers and students who volunteered at the different venues. During the tour, members of the network held presentation of alternatives, including CD-ROMs, mannekins and simulators, at 16 veterinary universities and at the biannual meeting of the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science. A questionnaire was also distributed to students and teachers concerning animal use in veterinary education. Since the tour, the network has been expanding across the country, and now we are working to establish a client donation program to secure ethically sourced animal cadavers for veterinary education.