Students debate with us about animal experiments

The "United Animal welfare activists in front of death labs" (VTVDT) had called for vigils in front of animal testing laboratories on 7 February. Students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VMF) at the University of Leipzig, the VMF's animal welfare officer and infectious disease specialists from the Centre for Infectious Medicine (ZIM) took this as an opportunity to discuss the topic in the VMF canteen in parallel. It was highlighted how alternatives can significantly reduce the number of laboratory animals at the VMF, for example in teaching through the Centre of Applied Training and Learning (PAUL) or through in vitro models in infection research. In addition, the extraordinary importance of animal experimental research was also discussed, e.g. at a booth of the association Pro-Test Germany Scientists from ZIM explained how animal experiments at the VMF pursue the goal of improving animal health. In veterinary medicine, for example, the serious gaps in immunoprophylaxis and therapy cannot be closed without animal experimental research. Refinement - measures that reduce the stress on the animals to a necessary minimum in animal experiments - is of central importance to veterinarians in addition to reduction and replacement. Students asked objective but also critical questions in small discussion groups. From the point of view of ZIM as well as Pro-Test Germany and all other participants, it was a successful and important evening, especially because veterinarians have a special responsibility for the implementation of animal protection and the improvement of animal health.

Created by: Christoph Baums