Animal testing and zoological specimens in education

In the vast majority of classes in the following programs, neither animal experiments are conducted nor are animals killed: Medicine and Dentistry degree programs; Bachelor’s programs in Molecular Medicine, Medical Technologies, Nursing Care and Midwifery Science; and the Master’s programs in Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Technologies and Medical Radiation Sciences. The Faculty of Medicine is committed to exploring further opportunities to reduce the use of animal specimens in teaching.

Medicine:

• In some courses, preserved animal specimens are used for teaching purposes on a permanent basis, e.g., for the microscopic examination and evaluation of tissues.
• In certain surgical courses within the medical school curriculum, unused material from slaughtered animals is acquired and used for suturing practice.
• Students in higher semesters may encounter animal experiments in highly research-oriented required-elective courses or as part of their doctoral studies if they choose these specific areas.
• As an alternative to animal specimens, computer-simulated experiments on nerves and muscles are used in the preclinical phase.

Molecular Medicine:

• No animal experiments involving vertebrates are conducted in the Bachelor’s program. Nor are animal experiments part of the curriculum in the Master’s program.
• Animal experiments are permitted in exceptional cases and are always voluntary for students. 

Medical Technologies:

• Whenever possible, alternative methods that do not involve animal testing are used for teaching purposes. No live animals are used for experimental purposes in the Bachelor’s program in Medical Technologies.
• Video recordings from ongoing research projects serve as alternatives.
• For surgical practicals, organs or preserved organ parts from slaughtered animals, or tissue from animals killed for research purposes, are used.
• In the Master’s program in Biomedical Technologies, laboratory animals are occasionally used for teaching purposes to demonstrate scientific experiments where methods cannot be adequately conveyed through simulations.
• For the most part, existing data, video recordings, and preserved animal specimens intended for long-term use are utilized as alternatives.

Radiation Sciences:

No animal experiments are conducted specifically for teaching purposes. Students have the opportunity to observe upcoming experiments that have already been approved for teaching purposes.

Bachelor of Biology

• No animal experiments involving vertebrates are conducted during the first two years of the Bachelor’s program in Biology. However, both invertebrates and specimens of euthanized vertebrates are used to illustrate the anatomical and physiological characteristics of animal organisms. Direct handling of animal material is indispensable in the training of students of experimental biology. Only in this way can a realistic impression of the anatomical relationships and properties of these structures be conveyed, and a solid overall understanding of animal anatomy be conveyed.
• This hands-on experience is supplemented by the use of alternatives such as schematic diagrams, permanent specimens, models, computer simulations, and video footage. To reduce the overall use of animals in teaching, instruction is conducted in small groups. The faculty makes every effort to use, whenever possible, animals that have already been euthanized at University facilities in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.
• In zoology courses, animal specimens are used to illustrate the anatomy of various animal groups. For this purpose, selected representatives of six invertebrate groups and three vertebrate species are used.
• In animal physiology courses, experiments are conducted on the organs of vertebrates that have been euthanized. All students in this program are required to successfully complete these courses. There are no animal-free alternative courses for these classes.
• Where possible, the specific experiment design takes into account individual students’ ethical concerns regarding the use of animals in their studies. Animal experiments may be conducted in the required elective courses during the third year of study. However, students have the option of choosing courses that do not involve animal experiments.

Master of Biology

• The Master’s programs in biology prepare students for scientific careers in the respective research fields. Depending on the program’s specialization, working with animal materials is mandatory in some tracks but not in others. Animal experiments are conducted in the same manner as they are in everyday scientific research. Students learn how to handle laboratory animals correctly and responsibly, as well as learning the relevant legal and ethical requirements. 

Other subjects in the faculty

• The rules and guidelines applying at the Department of Biology also apply at the Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry to the state examination program in Pharmacy, the Master’s program in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, and the Biochemistry program.
• No animal experiments are conducted in the other departments of the Science Faculty.