FELASA statement on the use of live animals in teaching and training

teachers explain that the aim of using live animals is to raise awareness that animals can
suffer and to develop consciousness about the fact that the scientist has power over the
animal’s life. If the only purpose of teaching is to develop manual skills/techniques,
attitudes will not be changed. It is necessary that the teachers demonstrate the proper
attitudes themselves when handling live animals in order to set the proper example in
practice. A very high standard must be set during training.
Basic techniques are taught in category C courses, but techniques cannot be mastered to
the full extent after such a course. In view of this it is necessary to establish the principle
of lifelong education, and it is important that all on-the-job training is recorded in CVs. As
mobility of scientists increases, good documentation of these qualifications is essential.
Scientists should learn an appropriate attitude, including the need to ask for help from an
experienced colleague whenever possible. Responsible scientists should leave
experimental techniques to those most competent whenever possible. Attitude building is
the most important issue of laboratory animal science training - it is a quality for life.
Scientists having appropriate attitudes can with little difficulty be further educated and
trained to the desired level.
It can be concluded that the use of live animals in courses for scientists can contribute
both to the development of skills and enhancing attitude, when the teaching is of a high
standard and stresses the moral dimension. It is important that the reasons behind the
use of live animals are made clear, in order to contribute to the development of respect for
the animals.
The use of live animals in e.g. teaching programmes for undergraduate students in biology,
pharmacology, and physiology should always be questioned. When fundamental biological
interactions and anatomy can be demonstrated with alternative methods, these must be
used to replace live animals as and when they become available.
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