|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 Welcome to the ALTERNATIVEDUCATION website, dedicated to the research and promotion of alternative methods to animal experimentation for humane education. This website was prepared by Společnost pro zvířata (the basic organisation of the Czech Union for Nature Conservation) in cooperation with the British animal protection organisation, RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and is based on our 2002 - 2004 project called „Alternatives in Undergraduate Education“. You can learn here, among other things, the attitudes of Czech universities toward animal use in education, the students‘ opinions on alternative methods, and where to search for further information about this issue.
Trend of Humane Education 
Live or killed animals are used equally for models in education as in scientific research and verification of the safety of chemicals and other substances for humans. In the 90’s of the last century, the trend of so-called humane education was markedly enhanced, and the question of animal use in education started to be discussed more deeply. Studies were done on the impact of animal experimentation on students‘ perception and approaches (see for example: www.interniche.org/compar.html) and on the influence of systematic animal experimentation on wild animal populations, and people acquired the right to conscientiously object to such practices. By this time, there was much interest focused on animal experimentation and alternatives to them, mainly for scientific research. A major factor that helped increase interest in this issue was the beginning of the „electronic era“ during the 90’s of the last century when the computer became a commonly used tool. As the electronic mail replaced postal mail and letters, the internet became an essential information resource. On the basis of such technological bloom, a range of highly effective demonstrative alternatives – multimedia computer programs, virtual and mechanical simulators etc. – were developed and dispersed. Like all phenomena, this development has a negative impact. It causes a great alienation of humans from the principles of nature. A sort of sterile world is being developed where the old natural order and cycle are fading. Western thinking and lifestyle have been predominant for a long time. „Mechanical“ medicine based on synthetic drugs (tested on animals) helps to prolong life. People spend days in offices or behind counters of institutions of various public services. As a result of these and many other practces, absurd situations can appear, e.g. some students of natural sciences know nature only from films, books and the internet, and the only confrontation with an animal and its physical functions can be in the classroom. This alienation of humans from nature may be one of the reasons why many of the invasive experiments on animals in education are still in practice. The progress of opinion and the transition to alternatives was overtaken by the progress of the technological boom, there has not been enough time for the full recognition of all the negative impacts of animal experimentation on education, and now the awareness about life principles and world functions alone must be „rescued“. However, the majority of scientific and laic society lean towards support of humane, progressive education for which the teaching objectives are met using humane, alternative methods; where animals are free from harm and students have freedom of conscience; education which encourages holistic perception and a respect for life.
|
|
||||||||||||
