April 2003 News

Fewer Dogs Being Used by Medical Schools

April 29, 2003 by Sherry Morse

A study recently conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has revealed that use of live dogs by the 125 medical schools in the United States has decreased dramatically during the last two decades.

In 1985, 73 percent of the schools reported using live dogs as teaching aids. In 1994, 62 percent of the schools did. In 2001, only 32 percent of them did.

Among the reasons cited for discontinuation were cost, course requirement revisions, greater sympathy of students for the dogs and increased availability of videos, CD-ROMs, mannequins and other alternatives.

A number of medical academicians have expressed concern about the employment of alternatives. "Surgeons need to practice on some first thing," AAMC Associate Vice President for Research Tony Mazzaschi told a Baltimore Sun reporter.

However, some have stated they believe the best way for future surgeons to obtain the training they need is for them to watch experienced surgeons operate and then gradually begin assisting.

A number of animal welfare advocates expressed optimism about the possibility of the reduction in use of dogs as teaching aids leading to decreased use of animals as subjects of laboratory experiments.

"If they don't have to cut up dogs in education, perhaps they won't view dogs and other animals as disposable tools," said Humane Society of the United States Vice President Martin Stephens.