Studies Database

Souza NG and Bachinski R. Replacement strategy for a class on histological techniques with animals in southern Brazil [abstract]. ALTEX. 2009;26(Special Issue):223. Abstract 455

Study of animal ethics and replacement methods for classes with animals is recent in Brazil, but an increasing number of publications and researchers are dedicated to the field, including the research "Replacement strategies for research and classes with animals". Firstly, we follow a class on histological technique within a vocational course in biotechnology, which uses a rat (Rattus norvegicus) for students to learn how to prepare histological samples. As a strategy, rat tissues were replaced by necropsied formaldehyde-fixed dog tissues. The teacher mentioned that she felt uncomfortable using animals and considered that such a method "solved the problem" (sic.). She said she would no longer use animals in her classes in order to avoid creating negative feelings concerning their deaths. She also said that some students had complained about not using live animals, but they understood that the aim of the class was to learn how to make histological samples of necropsies and biopsies, which was achieved. A student that took part in the same class, but using the traditional method, mentioned that he felt sad and embarrassed, and he considered the use of fixed tissues a good alternative. Another student said, regarding classes with animals: "I thought it was horrible!! (sic.) I didn't like to see the animal suffer before dying." In that work, we used the principle of replacement, according to the 3Rs - reduce, refine, and replacement (Russel & Burch, 1959) - the only one that creates conditions to abolish the use of animals in scientific practices.

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