Encyclopedia of animal rights and animal 51

8 | Alternatives to Animal Experiments in the Life Sciences The limitations of harmful animal use and the advantages of new approaches are illustrated by the many published studies comparing conventional methods with alternatives In almost all cases, the alternatives are shown to be equivalent or superior in terms of student and trainee performance Moreover, assessing how effectively teaching objectives are met requires an identification of a broader range of teaching objectives beyond the standard, and must address the negative messages of the hidden curriculum These include the lessons that instrumental use of animals is acceptable, and that compassion, respect for life, and ethical concerns as a whole are unimportant—or even obstacles to effective education and training Awareness, Objection and Innovation Some students may even choose not to study the life sciences at the university level because of an awareness of the harm caused to animals in many classes This results in a loss to the related professions of some of the most sensitive and critical-thinking students Desensitization of students who enter these classes is a damaging consequence of harmful animal use, and self-aware students may recognize this psychological process Students who find that practices are against their ethical positions or religious beliefs may face academic or psychological penalties from teachers if they challenge the status quo However, informed and responsible conscientious objection can be a powerful catalyst in resolving ethical conflicts in education and in implementing progressive teaching methods, clearly illustrating the intersection of animal rights and civil rights Despite the inertia of convention, the replacement of harmful animal use with other methods has been gaining momentum around the world Progressive, humane alternatives have now fully replaced animal experiments and dissections in a growing number of university departments Technological innovation, particularly the development of multimedia software and its potential to support the learning process, has played a major role in this ongoing revolution The economic advantages of using alternatives, and the broader social and cultural changes in favor of ethical treatment of animals, also contribute Types of Alternatives Alternatives, therefore, are progressive learning tools and teaching approaches that can replace harmful animal use or complement existing humane education They include non-animal learning tools as well as alternative approaches that are neutral or beneficial to individual animals Often developed by teachers themselves, and typically used in combination, alternatives include: Mannequins and Simulators Lifelike mannequins can support effective training of clinical skills such as taking blood, intubation, and the management of critical care scenarios The perfusion of ethically sourced organs in advanced simulators allows for realistic surgery practice from student to professional level By allowing repeated practice, these alternatives enable students and trainees to gain the confidence and competence necessary to work with real patients Multimedia Software andVirtual Reality (VR) Visualization and understanding of