Project information

Animal use in education and animal-free methods - Eastern Europe Project

Anyone wishing to become a biologist, biology teacher, physician, or veterinarian will still encounter animal experiments—or so-called “animal use”—at many universities. This includes the dissection of animals and experiments on dead or live animals, such as those conducted in zoology or physiology courses which are meant to teach students the basic structures and functions of animal organs.

For example, in zoology labs, rats, snails, insects, and other animals are killed and dissected to study the anatomy of their organs. Animal experiments are also still particularly common in physiology, especially the infamous “frog experiments.” Frogs are decapitated and their organs—such as nerves, muscles, or the heart—are removed. Even when separated from the body, these organs react to stimuli like electric shocks or drugs.

While many German universities continue to rely on the use of animals in education primarily because they want to introduce students to the system of animal experimentation, in some other countries the issue is simply lack of information and funding. Many university teachers in countries like Ukraine are open to modern, computer-based teaching methods. The Eastern Europe Project by the organization “Doctors Against Animal Experiments” helps interested professors switch to animal-free teaching methods. In this way, animal lives can be saved with relatively little effort.

Video „Replacement of animal use in eduaction through formal agreements with universities in Ukraine“

Animal-free teaching methods

Today, there is an overwhelming amount of modern, animal-free teaching materials that allow teaching content to be presented in a memorable, educationally effective, and ethically acceptable way. For example, the InterNICHE database lists more than 800 films, computer programs, simulators, models, and more.

Video demonstrations

Videos of experiments or demonstrations can be projected on a large screen so that all students can clearly see. Important sections can be shown repeatedly in close-up or slow motion and explained in detail.

Computer simulations

Modern software can realistically simulate physiological phenomena. Many programs are highly interactive and require active participation from students, which enhances memorability. These simulations are available not only for physiological experiments but also for dissections, pharmacological experiments, and more.

Self-experiments

Physiological concepts can also be learned through harmless self-experiments. This increases memorability significantly. For example, muscle currents and mechanics can be measured using myographic methods on a student’s arm instead of on a frog muscle.

Ethically sourced animals

It is absolutely unnecessary to kill animals for anatomical studies. After all, human medical students don’t kill people for anatomy classes. Veterinary clinics and practices often have animals that died naturally or were euthanized for medical reasons, which can be used instead. For biology students, dead insects, earthworms, etc., found in nature can be used.

Plastination and models

Plastination is a technique that preserves organs or entire animals in a rubbery, long-lasting state without altering their shape or color. Plastic models of animals and organs help illustrate anatomy. Silicone models can be used to practice injections, blood draws, surgical procedures, and more.

Simulators

With tools like "Traumaman" and similar simulators, emergency scenarios can be practiced. The "patient" breathes, has a heartbeat and pulse, bleeds, and reacts to treatments. For veterinary training, there are equivalent models like “Alberta” the dog dummy by the U.S. company SynDaver. Veterinary students can practice everything from intubation to neutering, tumor removal, and bone surgery.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality for surgeons works like a flight simulator for pilots. It offers real-time simulation using footage from actual surgeries combined with haptic feedback—meaning the surgeon feels when instruments touch, cut, or manipulate tissue. The program translates this tactile input into visual feedback using an extensive video database.

Learning on live patients

Veterinary students can learn diagnostic and treatment procedures (like ECGs, vein punctures, reflex testing, etc.) on animal patients—just as medical students do with human patients. Both veterinary and medical students learn surgical procedures by first training on simulators, then assisting experienced surgeons, and eventually performing surgeries themselves under supervision.

Eastern Europe Project

The German organization Doctors Against Animal Experiments in cooperation with InterNICHE has been running a highly successful Eastern Europe project since 2008. As part of this initiative, we provide departments in countries of the former Soviet Union with animal-free teaching methods. In return, they sign an agreement to refrain from animal experiments and the use of animals in student education. Compliance with the contractual conditions is verified through on-site visits. Our experience so far has been consistently positive. University lecturers often learn about our project through word of mouth from enthusiastic colleagues. In this way, we primarily save countless animals from being used in archaic teaching exercises. In addition, our project promotes a more empathetic approach toward animals and improves the education of future biologists, physicians, and veterinarians.

Video „Humane Education in countries of the former Soviet Union“

Further information

SATIS

Doctors Against Animal Experiments

InterNICHE