To the vivisectionists on this mailing list -- READ AND LEARN!
~INDIAN TEACHERS CALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF DISSECTIONS AND ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS;
MAJOR FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN LIFE SCIENCE EDUCATION MADE~
22 November
2009
PRESS RELEASE FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Indian
teachers call for replacement of dissections and animal experiments; major
financial investment in life science education made
Indian university
teachers meeting in Jaipur, Rajasthan for a national alternatives conference
have concluded with a call for full replacement of dissections and animal
experiments.
In a Resolution (1) adopted unanimously at the National Workshop
cum Symposium on Potential Alternatives to Dissection and Animal Experimentation
in Zoology and the Practical Curriculum, 19-21 November 2009, the participants
called on university Boards of Studies to remove animal use from the syllabus.
With the main focus on zoology, teachers of anatomy, physiology and other
disciplines came from across Rajasthan and other states in India to learn about
alternatives and for hands-on practice in innovative learning tools. The
experience of curricular change internationally and across the country was
shared in keynote, plenary and other presentations. Participants were joined by
representatives from the government agency that regulates animal
experimentation, the CPCSEA.
To support the process of replacement with
alternatives, learning tools worth over 50 lakh Rs. were distributed by the
International Network for Humane Education (InterNICHE) directly to the
participants and other teachers. InterNICHE donated 75 sets of 15 alternative
CDs and DVDs, including advanced anatomy software of the frog, dogfish, pigeon
and earthworm, and several virtual physiology labs. Further distribution will
take place across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states in what
comprises a major investment in Indian life science education.
Published
in the Souvenir were Statements of Support from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan,
Mr. Ashok Gehlot; from Mrs. Maneka Gandhi, Chair of People for Animals and
Member of Parliament; from Vice Chancellors of all the major universities of
Rajasthan; from Mr. Anjani Kumar, Director Member Secretary of the CPCSEA; from
international organizations; and from professors, researchers and religious
bodies from across the country.
The event is to be followed by a major
publication entitled �Alternatives to Dissection and Animal Experimentation in
Life Science Education, Research and Testing: A Manual for Universities and
Colleges�, edited by Dr. B K Sharma and Mr. Nick Jukes � to be published in
2010. This is an internationally geared project and Cambridge Scholars
Publishing (CSP) has accepted the same for publication though other publication
houses abroad are being approached, of which Springer is one that has shown keen
interest.
Dr B. K. Sharma, Head of Zoology at R L Saharia Government PG
College, Kaladera (Jaipur) (affiliated to the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur)
and the Organizing Secretary of this UGC-sponsored National Workshop said, �We
are calling for a change in the mindset of educators, education administrators,
policy makers and politicians which should be followed by major curricular
transformation in life science/ zoology and other fields where defenseless
animals are being killed and used for imparting training and education. It has
been decades since the last significant change, and we encourage all Boards of
Study to meet on a regular basis to address the pressing need for replacement of
dissection and animal experiments.� Email:
b_ksharma@hotmail. co.uk
Prof. MA Akbarsha from the Faculty of Animal
Science at Bharatidasan University and the Chair of the Mahatma Gandhi
Doerenkamp Centre for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Life Science
Education, said, �The evolution of zoology teaching and the growth of new
disciplines like cell and molecular biology, genetics and biodiversity studies
has raised major questions about the perceived importance and relevance of
dissection. Instead of taking animals into the lab we should use alternative
approaches, including respectfully studying them in their real habitats.�
Prof. K K Sharma, Prof and Head of Zoology at MDS University, Ajmer, said,
�We are discouraging the use of dissection and are working towards its total
removal by replacement with humane alternatives. Our future zoologists are
trained not through killing but with software and models, and the use of ethical
fieldwork with a conservation and biodiversity focus. It is time that we ask
right across the country what is the best way to teach our students, and to
consider moving from dead biology to live biology.�
Prof. Reena Mathur
from the Department of Zoology at University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and next
year�s Head of Department, said, �We certainly must stop all dissections and use
alternative techniques to teach internal morphology. As soon as I am Head I will
ensure that this happens in my Department through the Board of Studies and the
UGC.�
Mrs Snehal Bhavsar, Founder Trustee of the Gujarat Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) and InterNICHE National Contact for
India, said, �Our wildlife is a national treasure and its use for dissections
and animal experiments in education is a scandal. I�m very happy that for the
first time in northern India teachers have taken the initiative to get together
on one platform and to call for full replacement. It is clear that many zoology
teachers are strongly against animal use and in favour of better teaching
methods.�
Nick Jukes, Co-coordinator of the International Network for
Humane Education (InterNICHE) which sponsored the conference and provided the
alternatives that were distributed, said, �With widespread replacement already
achieved in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the momentum for curricular change is
growing fast. The conference in Jaipur made clear the commitment from teachers
to best practice and humane education. With international published studies so
clearly demonstrating the pedagogical superiority of alternatives, I am
confident that the remaining obstacles to modernization will soon fall away.�
The event was sponsored by the UGC, DST, InterNICHE and the International
Association Against Painful Experiments on Animals (IAAPEA).
Notes for
editors:
(1) Resolution
We the participants:
1. Recognise
that animals are sentient beings and that life in all its forms should be fully
respected
2. Recognise the pedagogical, ethical, environmental and economic
advantages of humane and innovative alternatives over harmful animal use in life
science education and training
3. Join the global movement for humane
education and call for full replacement of harmful animal use with alternatives
4. Recognise the importance of effective and ethical education and training for
future Indian professionals
5. Call on the Government of India, CPCSEA, UGC,
Academic Councils, Boards of Studies and educational institutes to work towards
removing animal experimentation and the dissection of purpose killed animals
from the life science syllabus, to develop and implement appropriate and
effective laws, regulations and guidelines to bring about replacement, and to
provide support for the implementation of alternatives
~Ends~
