ABSTRACT

Supporting the use of computer-based alternatives to replace and reduce animal use in teaching and research.

D. Dewhurst & J. van der Valk
Learning Technology Section, Faculty Group of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Link Building, 15 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9XD & Netherlands Centre Alternatives to Animal Use (NCA), Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 17, NL-3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Reported animal use for undergraduate teaching across Europe is small (<2%) relative to the total used for research but still represents a significant number of animals. Most are rodents and pharmacology and physiology are the major users. Over the last 15 years numerous computer-based alternatives to using animals in teaching these subjects, have been developed and are widely available. This presentation will provide an overview of these, examine the learning objectives of animal labs, and suggest ways in which computer-based alternatives may contribute to the 3Rs and meet many of the learning goals.
A project to actively promote the use of alternatives (European Resource Centre for Alternatives to using animals in Higher Education: EURCA at http://www.eurca.org) through outreach activities (e.g. taking the Resource Centre to relevant scientific meetings) and through a web-site containing a content-rich database, is now underway. Its objectives are to make teachers more aware of alternatives, provide them with as much information as possible to enable them to evaluate potential usefulness, and give them advice on how to successfully integrate alternatives into their teaching.
Computer-assisted learning programs can also contribute to a reduction in animal use for research. A new program will be described which aims to help researchers to design more effective experiments and so reduce the number of experimental animals required. It combines real life scenarios, working examples and background theory and throughout the student learns by exploration and engages in interactive practical exercises that give hands on exposure to the key concepts in experimental design.
Reference:
Festing, MW, Dewhurst, DG & Broadhurst, J. (2001) Brit. J. Pharmac. Proc. suppl. (in press)
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