Fatori Deguchi BG, Maiolino Molento CF, Pilleggi de Souza CE. The opinion on the use of animals in higher education in Brazil: comparison across programs and between first and last year students [abstract]. ALTEX. 2011;28(Special Issue):228. Abstract 136.


Abstract

The use of animals in education and research is an ethical and polemic issue. Currently, the Brazilian legislation is in transition with the recently approved Law no. 11,794 (2008). In this study we evaluated the ethical matters in the use of animals at the Federal University of Parana through a qualitative analysis by using questionnaires and interviews. The objective was to compare the opinion of interviewees from different programs and freshmen versus veterans. The analyzed group was composed of 101 students and 20 professors of biology, pharmacy, medicine and veterinary medicine programs. Approximately half of the students (44.6%) do not know the legislation that regulates the use of animals in education. Regarding the use of alternative methods by the professors, most of them believe that it cannot perfectly approach the learning goals. Professors who use animals for teaching represent 35.0% of the interviewees and for research 55.0%, of which 13.3% practice vivisection. Some alternative methods are used by 70.0%, but only 38.9% of the professors and 29.7% of the students trust them. The students in biology (90.9%) and veterinary medicine (73.3%) are more likely to be concerned with animal welfare in education and research than those in other programs. Students nearly graduated present similar knowledge of legislation as freshmen, and the majority of the interviewees (68.9%) do not believe that alternative methods present high quality. Results suggest that it is necessary to extend the discussion on alternatives to animal use in the academic environment.



Author's contacts: carlamolento@yahoo.com



Link to journal: ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation