A ground-breaking video featuring state-of-the-art
alternatives to animal experiments was launched worldwide by the humane
education network EuroNICHE (1).
University teachers who have newly developed or use
multimedia computer software and other products and approaches (2)
demonstrate their efficacy and pedagogic advantages (3) over traditional
harmful animal use (4). From anatomy to physiology, surgery to
pharmacology, the film samples classical experiments where conventional
animal use has been replaced by a range of progressive alternative
methods.
In the current approach to the new academic year, the
33-minute multi-language film (5) is being shown and distributed across
Europe, the US, Australia and Japan to teachers and students of
biological science, veterinary and human medicine, and to ethics
committees, legislators and animal protection groups (6).
Co-ordinator of EuroNICHE, Nick Jukes, said, "The life
sciences are undergoing a radical change as recent developments in
technology offer new and exciting ways to gain the skills and knowledge
required for the professions. Ethical and financial concerns have also
prompted a reassessment of conventional practice. 'Alternatives' are now
becoming the norm."
For further details, contact Nick Jukes: tel +44 7867
513 215 (mobile),
tel/fax +44 1892 548462.
For cost and distribution, see (7) below.
Notes for editors:
(1). The European Network of Individuals and Campaigns
for Humane Education, a non-profit charitable network of students and
teachers with contacts in over 20 European countries, the US, Australia
and Japan. Working with teachers to introduce alternatives to harmful
animal use and with students to support freedom of conscience. A full
list of national contacts is available.
(2). Products featured include computer simulation and
learning packages, computer-linked human self-testing apparatus, waste
organ surgical training apparatus, high-resolution video and a
veterinary training model. Full details of the products and producers
are available. Further alternative approaches for practical work
requiring animal tissue are covered in the film with the sourcing and
use of 'naturally-dead' or euthanized animals, and clinical practice.
(3). At least 29 published academic studies evaluating
the effectiveness of alternative methods have found that students using
alternatives perform at least as well as those using animals.
(4). Worldwide, tens of millions of animals are killed
each year for dissection and harmed during experimentation within
education. Many students face academic and psychological penalty for
objecting to compulsory harmful animal use but recent legislation and
legal challenges have often found in favor of students' rights and the
use of alternatives.
(5). The film is currently available in English, Czech,
Slovak, Russian and Japanese. It will soon also be available in French,
Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and Romanian.
(6). It has been shown pre-launch at several
national-level scientific conferences and was shown at the 3rd World
Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (Bologna,
29 August - 2 September 1999).
(7). Cost - Western Europe: £12 (£8 concessions),
Eastern Europe: £6 (£4),
US: $20 ($15), Australia: A$30 ($20), Other: contact EuroNICHE.
Nick Jukes
EuroNICHE Co-ordinator
11 Beckingham Road
Leicester LE2 1HB
England
mobile: +44 7867 513215
tel/fax: +44 1892 548462
e-mail: <lynx@gn.apc.org>
USA / Canada:
Dr Jonathan Balcombe
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St
NW Washington
DC 20037
USA
Tel: 301-258-3046
Fax: 301-258-7760
e-mail: <jbalcombe@hsus.org>
Australia / New Zealand:
Elizabeth Ahlston
New Educational Aids in Medicine and Science Trust (NEAMS)
PO Box 516
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Australia
Fax: (02) 9361 6448
e-mail: <humane@mail.zip.com.au>
Source: lynx@gn.apc.org
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