Use of alternatives to animals models in teaching

 Alternatives to the use of animals in teaching

Alternate is a choice between two or more things suggesting that good research may be accomplished without the use of living animals or good education using figures rather than live animals. The use of animals in study, teaching and experiment is a significant welfare and ethical matters.

Non-animal methods like computer simulations, interactive CD-ROMs, films, charts, and life-like models teach Anatomy and complex biological processes well or better then many of the animal-based methods. Research has revealed that a substantial number of students at every instructive level is painful with slaughter life animals for dissection and research and some even go away from professions in science rather than violating their principles. An investigation accompanied by PETA India between the final-year scholars of Bombay Veterinary College in 2013 exposed that 63% said processes such as terminal operation and working painful methods on living animal’s causes suffering and takes a deep psychological toll on students. In addition, 69% recommended that there should be a rule allowing careful objection by students to the use of live animals in favour of more modern humane methods, 73% decided that willed or morally obtained body contributions are effective substitutions for killing healthy calves for structural studies, and 65% thought that non-harmful teaching approaches such as simulation software, representations, manikins, etc., are as effective as those attained by animal usage (PETA, 2016).

Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Surgery practical classes and Clinical internship training require a large number of animals as part of teaching and learning. These subjects require animals for a simple demo of the perception of handling animals, structural features and veterinary process demos for talent development. The animals experience stress, pain and suffering before, during and after demonstration/handling. Therefore, we should look for some alternatives to animal usage from the animal welfare perspective.

Alternative models in teaching

A model is a lesser or superior physical copy of an object or live animal. These physical models can be made up of rubber, plastic, fibre, Plaster of Paris or cement. These physical representations offer a 3D view to the spectator. The different models are: -

1.      Rubber Models

2.      Plastic Models

3.      Wooden Models

4.      Wire Models

5.      Low Cost Models

1.      Rubber Models

These convenient animal models can be used as alternatives in place of live animals to demonstrate some basic skills in veterinary courses, such as drug administration, suturing techniques in surgery, endotracheal intubation etc.

2.      Plastic Models

They provide visualization of anatomical features of some organs such as the brain, eyes, ears, and heart, hence reducing the use of samples from live animals. These are affordable and available at the local market.

3.      Wooden Models

Wooden model of animals and their body parts are one of the inexpensive, voluntarily available, and portable substitutes to animal handling in veterinary courses. Wooden body part models also diminish the recurrent use of live animals as they can last lengthier from wear and tear as associated with rubberized complements.

4.      Wire Models

With a chicken wire net, these models can be formed to produce a bump or the back portion of an animal and they can be used as a life-size imitation for rectal palpation. The wire mesh can be covered with old newspapers thoroughly soaked in glue and glue together, one layer after another. Once the mould is hardened, it can be painted to look like a cow’s hump. The inside organs such as the rectum can be made from rubber tubes with size enough to insert a hand and be able to palpate another structure that could be shaped like the uterus.

5.      Low-Cost Models

Using published pictures of an animal or its internal organs, little of imagination and artistic inclination of student, they can make models of internal organs or even whole animal replica using papers, clay or Styrofoam. Organ sculpturing can be made as a class activity to enhance understanding of students to particular anatomical features of organs as they sculpt using recyclable materials.