E-MAIL DELUGE AGAINST VIVISECTION IN BRAZIL FROM 12TH to 14TH of JUNE

[Guest guest]

E-MAIL DELUGE AGAINST VIVISECTION IN BRAZIL FROM 12TH

to 14TH of JUNE

 

 

 

 

Forwarded Message:

*****************

 

 

Global e-mail deluge against the use of dogs in

medical education at UFPR, Brazil

 

On May 30th 2001, students from the Federal University

of Paraná (UFPR), in Brazil, brought up a

controversial issue to the university staff by

pilling up several dogs killed in medical education by

the door of the surgical training class. This fact is

causing controversy inside this university. Around 20

dogs are killed each week just in the surgical

technique course alone.

 

Calling for electronic action:

On June 11th and 12th, 2001, hundreds of people from

many parts of the world will be sending e-mails to the

university and local media, demanding the adoption of

alternatives to animals in medical education. We

invite you to join in this simple action which based

in other similar experiences, can bring up the debate

around this issue. Copy paste and sign the model at

the end of this message, or just write your own

opinion.

 

We are counting on your participation. Please, pass

this message on.

 

E-mails target:

University:

reitoria -UFPR Dean

ederaldo

coordmed -Medicine Course Coordinator

 

Parana Medicine Regional Council

secdir

 

Local and National media:

imprensa

redacao

redacao

folha.online

globon

 

Control of arriving messages (optional):

caso_ufpr

 

Organize:

- Information Network on Humane Education Brazil

(InterNICHE/Brazil)

www.geocities.com/redeniche/welcome.htm

 

 

 

Sample letter:

 

Dear University Staff

 

I would like to clearly express my indignation about

the vivisection practices carried out by the Federal

University of Paraná. I've been informed that this

fact was highlighted recently through the media,

concerning the use of dogs in medical education.

 

In Brazil, vivisection is allowed only if there are no

alternatives available (Act of February 12th, 1998,

number 9.605). To kill 21 healthy dogs per week, as

required by the surgical technique classes, when

there are other alternatives is ethically

indefensible. In this sense, I urge for the

replacement of these practices by other methods, more

humane and ethical.

 

Is a well known fact in many universities around the

world that alternative methods are available and used

successfully in medical education, from physiology to

surgery.

 

Around 58% of medical schools in USA

(www.pcrm.org/issues/Ethics_in_Medical_Research/ethics_medical.html),

and in all UK, the use of animals in medical

curriculum was abolished, or became a choice.

Universities from several countries are following the

same. Why? Because vivisection has many disadvantages

(economically, psychologically, socially, technically

and educationally), and represents a method from

the past. Balancing these disadvantages with the

innovations and new approaches offered by alternative

methods, vivisection in education become unnecessary.

 

Alternative methods are many: live tissue culture,

simulators, skin-like materials, placentas used for

microsurgery handskill and live tissue handling,

virtual reality, computer simulations, supervised

interventions on patients (clinical practice), etc.

Many skilled surgeons and physicians are educated

without cutting any dog or other animal.

 

For more information about the aspects of vivisection

in tertiary education, please visit the Information

Network for Humane Education in Brazil - RedeNICHE -

www.geocities.com/redeniche

http://www.geocities.com/redeniche/pro.htm (opinion of

surgeon and doctors)

http://www.geocities.com/redeniche/alternativas.htm

(information on alternatives)

http://www.geocities.com/redeniche/leia.htm (online

texts and articles)

http://www.geocities.com/redeniche/ufsc.htm (similar

case in University of Santa Catarina)

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/5011/vivisseccao.html

(idem)

 

I ask to the responsible of the human medicine course,

and to the university authorities, to consider these

remarks regarding the availability of alternative

methods for medical education.

 

Sincerely,

 

Name

City/Country

Profession/Organization (optional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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