Studies Database

Leporsky D and Jukes N. Integration of alternatives to harmful animal use in the educational system of Ukraine: problems, progress, perspectives [abstract]. ALTEX. 2009;26(Special Issue):217. Abstract 181

During the last 5 years, significant replacement of animal use in the education of natural science and medicine students has been achieved at department level at a number of Ukrainian universities. These examples and further anecdotal evidence suggest a broad decrease in animal use across the country brought about by a number of factors: Adoption in 2006 of legislation that supports student conscientious objection and regulates animal experimentation, including in education; encouragement to universities by the Ministry of Education to employ innovative educational methods, including computer technology; outreach and provision of information and resources by InterNICHE and other organisations, backed by signed agreements with universities to replace harmful animal use with alternatives; student demand for the modernisation and humanisation of teaching approaches; and growing awareness of the pedagogical, economic and ethical advantages of the use of alternatives. Further successful integration of alternatives into the educational system will be achieved as the following obstacles are overcome or removed: The low level of state funding for universities and the consequent shortage of computer equipment; the current scarcity of Ukrainian- and Russian-made alternatives and of translated Western software; the relatively high cost of some Western alternatives; conservative attitudes amongst older teachers and a tradition of animal experimentation in former Soviet countries; and the lack of initiative from some teachers in gathering information on alternatives and curricular transformation.

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