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News
release – Monday 10th February 2003
from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse
2nd edition
Nick Jukes & Mihnea Chiuia
A ground-breaking book on life science education is launched today by the
International Network for Humane Education (InterNICHE) (1,2,3).
The 544-page publication, from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse: Alternative
methods for a progressive, humane education investigates state-of-the-art
alternative tools and approaches to support ethical and effective knowledge
and skills acquisition within biological science, medical and veterinary
medical education.
'Alternatives' include humane tools such as multimedia computer
simulation, training mannekins and simulators, and humane approaches such as
student self-experimentation, clinical work with animal patients, and the use
of ethically-sourced animal cadavers.
These methods have been developed and implemented by teachers to support
successful learning in the life sciences. Alternatives can better meet
teaching objectives (4), and when complemented by ethical discussion can
encourage critical thinking and the taking of personal responsibility, and
help validate compassion, empathy, and respect for life. Alternatives provide
opportunities for the full replacement of harmful animal use in life science
practical classes (5). This replacement gives respect to students' freedom of
conscience, and supports broader access to life science education and
professions. It also impacts positively on research, and on society as a whole,
by firmly establishing ethical practice in the training of future scientists
(6).
Using primary research, comprehensive information on over 500 of the
latest products within the fields of anatomy, clinical skills and surgery,
critical care, physiology and pharmacology is presented in the book. Listed by
discipline and then medium, the application, specifications and source for
each product are detailed.
Seven case studies, written by university teachers who are at the forefront
of new teaching approaches (7), demonstrate how the alternatives have replaced
harmful animal use and improved the quality of education in their own
departments. Assessment of alternatives, creativity and curricular design, and
the broader impact of humane education are also addressed. Finally, 800
further resources provide links to information-rich websites and printed
material, to relevant organisations across the world, and to the producers and
distributors of alternatives.
The majority of the book will be made available on-line, providing a
searchable database with links to producers and product reviews. Translations
into other languages are also under production (8), and CD and DVD versions
are planned.
from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse is written for life science teachers
and students, university ethics committees, legislators, civil liberties and
animal protection groups.
For reviews of the book (9), click
here.
InterNICHE Co-ordinator, Nick Jukes, said today, "Recent
developments in technology have provided educators with a superb range of
cutting-edge alternative methods, with significant advantages over the
conventional - but rarely validated - animal dissections and live
experimentation.
"Such tools, combined with other humane approaches, have already
replaced harmful animal use in many university departments and high schools
across the world. from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse provides the information
and the arguments to catalyse further curricular transformation, to the
benefit of students, teachers, animals and the life sciences."
For
further information, please contact:
 Nick
Jukes on +44 116 210 9652
coordinator@interniche.org
InterNICHE
national contacts - click
here
Notes
for editors:
1. InterNICHE (formerly
EuroNICHE) is a non-profit charity working with teachers to introduce
alternatives and with students to support freedom of conscience. It is a
network and organisation with national contacts in over 30 countries worldwide.
2. Nick Jukes & Mihnea
Chiuia. from Guinea Pig to Computer
Mouse: Alternative methods for a progressive, humane education (2nd
edition). (InterNICHE, 2003). ISBN 1-904422-00-4.
Foreword by Gill Langley, PhD.
3. Available direct and
from InterNICHE national contacts (see www.interniche.org). Cost: Western
Europe, USA, Japan, Australia etc: £8 (£6 concessions) or local equivalent.
Eastern Europe, Latin America, India etc: £4 (£3 concessions) or local
equivalent.
4. Over 30 published
academic studies evaluating the effectiveness of alternative methods have
found that students using alternatives perform at least as well as those using
animals (see chapter 3 by Jonathan Balcombe, PhD, or www.interniche.org).
5. Worldwide tens of
millions of animals are harmed or killed each year for their cadavers or
tissue, for skills training and for experiments.
6. Open discussion on the
ethics of animal use is often avoided by teachers, and many students are
coerced into harmful animal use. Conscientious objection is growing, but some
students still suffer academic or psychological penalty, or are forced to
change course, for refusing to participate and for asking for alternatives.
7. Contributions by Lara
Marie Rasmussen, DVM; Hans Braun, PhD; Henk van Wilgenburg, PhD; Mykola
Makarchuk, PhD; Garry Scroop, PhD; Amarendhra Kumar, PhD; Daniel Smeak, DVM; R.Ashley
Robinson, PhD; Gary Johnston, DVM; and Shirley Johnston, PhD.
8. Languages include
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian,
Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.
9. Reviews available
from Prof Michael Balls, DPhil (from 1993-2002, Head of the European
Commission’s European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM);
Gill Langley, PhD (Scientific Adviser to the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane
Research); Mary Midgley, PhD (philosopher and author); and Barbara Smuts, PhD
(biologist and feminist).
Thanks to our sponsors.
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