Animals in Research & Education

It is conservatively estimated that at least 20 million animals - including apes, monkeys, dogs, cats, pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and mice - are used each year for experimentation in the United States alone. This research includes tests on household and personal care products, industrial toxicity testing; military research; research on the affects of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs; transplant research; Research on traumas, including head injuries and burns; and psychological and behavioural research.

Live animals are also used extensively in secondary schools, colleges, science and engineering fairs and other "educational" forums. Animals are also bred and/or collected then killed for use as dissection specimens The use of animals in teaching at all levels of secondary and tertiary education is still widespread. The majority of such teaching is not directed towards veterinary practice nor training in clinical procedures in humans. In fact, many students are required to use animals in practical classes, and then choose careers in which they will never need to use animals.

Animals Australia considers that often, schools have inappropriate facilities and staffing for animals to be housed on site. Any benefits gained by the use of animals in teaching are outweighed by its tendency to convey animals merely as tools available to satisfy human research and curiosity. There are sufficient alternative teaching aids available to meet the same or more useful educational objectives as those currently being met with the use of animals. At tertiary level, Animals Australia considers that the need for animals in teaching cannot be established except in relation to the teaching of veterinary and animal science courses. Where no non-animal alternatives exist, knowledge and skills should be obtained by study of, and practical work on, abattoir materials, models, or through assistance with actual clinical cases.