Meeting Abstract

P2.65  Tuesday, Jan. 5  The importance of discussing animal research in the physiology classroom WOODLEY, Sarah K.; Duquesne University woodleys@duq.edu

Animal research is a critical element of many scientific endeavors. Many biology majors will find careers in biomedical research that involve the use of animals or animal tissues. However, many students are unaware of the issues involved in animal research. Furthermore, the number of violent acts towards animal researchers committed by animal rights activists is increasing. Therefore, I developed and assessed assignments that addressed the issue of animal research in an upper-level university physiology course. Assessment was achieved via a written survey before and after assignments and discussions about animal research as part of an IRB approved study. Assignments included reading book sections authored by an animal researcher and exploring the website of a prominent animal rights organization. Results indicated that opinions changed dramatically after discussing animal research in the classroom. As one example, the percentage of students that believed that animal research contributed “a great deal” to advances in human health care changed from 60% to 98%. As another example, the percentage reporting that they agreed “not much at all” with the statement that “many lab animals endure painful experiments in cramped/dirty conditions” changed from 38% to 81%. This study reveals that biology students possess many misconceptions about the use and care of research animals and that discussion in a classroom setting significantly changes students’ knowledge and opinions. I encourage physiology instructors to address this important issue.