Martinsen S and Jukes N. The impact of education and training alternatives on animals, society, research and testing. Poster session presented at: Calling on Science. 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences; 2009 Aug 30 - Sept 3; Rome, Italy


Abstract

The impact of education and training alternatives is usually assessed in terms of acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. While such assessments usually demonstrate the superiority of alternatives over harmful animal use, the level of assessment is often limited to standard teaching and training objectives. By recognising and looking beyond these limitations, the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes from both the acknowledged curriculum and the hidden curriculum can be investigated. The resulting awareness can guarantee a more effective education and training; the cancellation of negative lessons from the hidden curriculum; and the aspiration to achieve a higher degree of knowledge, of practical and critical thinking skills, and of emotional and ethical literacy. Such knowledge, skills and attitudes can significantly impact on the choice of career. A fully humane education and training will positively impact on the student, the trainee, and the animals no longer used as tools; but equally important, it will facilitate a reconnection of professional practice to the roots of biology and medicine. A career in animal experimentation is not compatible with biology as the study of life, and with medicine as the practice of care and healing.



Author's contacts: siri.martinsen@bredband.net

Author's keywords: animals, alternatives, education, research, testing