How Students and Lecturers Are Rethinking Animal Use in Science Education
In Brazilian lecture halls, a quiet revolution is redefining the future of biomedical science, one student at a time.
Walking into a university laboratory in Brazil, a new generation of biomedical science students is encountering a question that transcends scientific technique: Do we still need to use animals in education? It's a debate balancing educational value against ethical considerations, set against the backdrop of groundbreaking national regulations and technological advancements.
A recent study from the Federal University of Goiás reveals that while most students and lecturers acknowledge the educational value of animal use, there's strong consensus that non-animal alternatives represent the future of scientific training 1 .
In Brazil, this conversation has reached a pivotal moment with Resolution No. 53/2021 from the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA), which bans animal use in specific practical classes within higher education 1 .
The Federal University of Goiás study provided compelling insights into current perceptions, surveying 404 undergraduate students and 62 lecturers across three campuses in Goiânia, Jataí, and Catalão 1 . The research explored opinions on bioethics, the importance of animals in education, and attitudes toward replacing animal use with innovative alternatives.
| Aspect of Animal Use | Student Perspectives | Lecturer Perspectives |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Contribution | Acknowledged by majority | Acknowledged by majority |
| Replacement with Alternatives | Strongly supported | Strongly supported |
| Implementation Barriers | --- | Need for training & resources |
| Regulatory Awareness | Varying levels | Generally higher |
The overwhelming majority of both groups agreed that while animal use has traditionally contributed to education, replacing these methods with innovative non-animal alternatives represents the progressive path forward 1 .
Lecturers particularly emphasized that successful integration of alternative methods would require appropriate training to improve educator skills, along with reliable access to suitable facilities and materials 1 .
This consensus highlights a significant cultural shift within academic institutions, pointing to the infrastructural challenges accompanying technological transitions in education.
Brazil's conversation about animals in education is part of a broader international trend. The recent World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, held in Rio de Janeiro in August 2025, showcased Brazil's emerging leadership in this global movement 3 5 .
Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture now allows companies to forego the Target Animal Batch Safety Test, a veterinary vaccine test long criticized as cruel and scientifically outdated 5 .
The establishment of the Brazilian National Network of Alternative Methods (RENAMA) and Regional Platform for Alternative Methods to Animal Use in MERCOSUR (PReMaSul) demonstrates institutional commitment to modernizing biomedical science 2 .
Satellite events at the World Congress included the "International Conference on Alternatives and Simulation in Education," focusing specifically on humane tools and approaches for biology, medical, and veterinary students 6 .
These developments reflect Brazil's strategic positioning within global efforts to align scientific practice with ethical considerations while maintaining rigorous educational standards.
As Brazil transitions toward reduced animal use in biomedical education, several innovative technologies have emerged as essential tools in modern laboratory training:
Interactive software and virtual laboratories allow students to simulate complex biological processes and experiments without using animals .
Advanced mannequins and task trainers enable students to practice clinical procedures repeatedly without harming living creatures 6 .
Products like EpiDerm and EpiSkin use human cells to create realistic tissue models for irritation and corrosion testing 6 .
Smartphone-based learning tools provide accessible, engaging ways to understand complex physiological processes .
AI-powered systems analyze complex biological data and predict outcomes, reducing reliance on animal testing 2 .
Despite growing consensus on the value of alternatives, implementing widespread change faces practical hurdles. The Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative has highlighted broader challenges in biomedical research methodology that affect educational approaches 7 .
Educational research from other contexts demonstrates that structured ethics training can significantly impact student perspectives. A 2024 study with medical students showed that laboratory animal ethics education markedly improved awareness of regulations, welfare issues, and the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) .
This suggests that formal curriculum development represents a crucial component of Brazil's transition toward more humane science education.
As one expert involved in Brazil's BioMed21 workshop noted, coordinated investment in capacity building and intersectoral collaboration will be essential for successful implementation of these new educational approaches 2 . The workshop concluded with forward-looking proposals to integrate NAMs into Brazil's strategic research agenda, positioning the country as a potential global reference for human-relevant biomedical training 2 .
The changing perceptions of students and lecturers at Brazilian universities reflect a broader transformation in how society conceptualizes scientific progress. What began as a debate about animal use in classrooms has evolved into a more nuanced conversation about educational efficacy, ethical responsibility, and scientific innovation.
"This law demonstrates that change is possible when everyone works together. Brazilians can finally buy cosmetics knowing they weren't tested on animals; a true cause for celebration" 8 .
The journey toward modernized, humane science education in Brazil continues to unfold—not as a rejection of scientific tradition, but as an evolution toward more sophisticated, human-relevant, and ethically grounded approaches that will train the next generation of biomedical scientists.