Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of animals in the teaching of veterinary medicine in Brazil from the perspective of current and former students. 523 students and 414 former students from public and private institutions completed an online questionnaire on topics such as classroom and research discomfort, the right to conscientious objection, and the use of alternative teaching methods. It was discovered that there is a greater offer of courses on animal rights, animal welfare, and/or bioethics currently available; however, there is greater experience of discomfort, which has a direct impact on learning. Conscientious objection is not widely known. Only a minority of the objectors faced difficulties, but the fear of negative consequences resulting from their manifestations was significant.
Keywords:
Teaching of veterinary medicine; Students; Animal rights; Humanitarian education; Bioethics; Animal welfare