Ethics, Innovation and Replacement in Biology & Medical Training

SynDaver Beyond Human

In our 16th 3Rs Training Webinar on April 17, 2023 at 1 pm ET/ 7 pm CET, we will focus on humane education and training of biology and medical students and personnel. Nick Jukes from InterNICHE (International Network for Humane Education) will give a talk titled Ethics, innovation and replacement in biology and medical education and training.

Abstract:

The evolution of the curriculum for biology and medical education and training involves considered choices about the methods employed to meet teaching objectives. Efficient knowledge and skills acquisition, and broadening what can be achieved, require an awareness of developments in technology, educational practice and ethics. Animal experimentation and the dissection of purpose-killed animals continue to be employed in some practical classes. However, fully humane methods are widely available, and new, innovative tools combined with humane traditions are now employed in many university departments to achieve replacement and to enhance education. For medical students, humane traditions include the use of human cadavers from body donation programs, and clinical and surgical learning opportunities with human patients during the process of apprenticeship and specialisation. Humane innovations include non-animal tools such as models, video and animations; virtual laboratories for physiology and pharmacology classes; virtual reality software and advanced synthetic cadavers, organs and tissue for hands-on clinical skills and surgery training; and scenario-based simulated clinics. Student self-experimentation is another method that can be employed within physiology classes for medical and biology students. Humane traditions and new approaches within biology include working with ethically sourced animal cadavers, and performing ethical field work. In this presentation, these ‘alternatives’ are explored in detail using examples of current implementation. The broader pedagogical, scientific, ethical, social, economic and environmental advantages are also addressed.

Bio:

Nick Jukes is Co-ordinator of InterNICHE, the International Network for Humane Education. Nick has been working internationally for over 30 years to enhance education and training in medicine, veterinary medicine and the life sciences through replacement of animal experiments and dissection. He co-authored the book from Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse (2nd ed.) (InterNICHE, 2003) and has published widely on alternatives. He has helped establish a range of international resources including libraries of alternatives and the website www.interniche.org, with its databases of alternatives and academic studies. Nick has co-organised conferences and exhibitions across the world and InterNICHE activity has led to widespread direct replacement. Current projects include a documentary film on humane innovations and a book of case studies. Nick, InterNICHE and its partners have won a number of awards for provision of resources, global networking and replacement work, including the Lush Prize for Training.