Twenty years ago live animals were commonly used for instruction in medical colleges throughout the United States. Advances in medical simulation technology and interactive computer based learning have eliminated the need for such practices. As a result, about 90% of the medical schools in the United States have eliminated the use of live animals in their curriculum. The combination of alternatives to the use of live animals along with the recognition of ethical concerns has been compelling reasons for medical schools to move away from the use of live animals.

New York Medical College in Valhalla New York was the only medical college left in New York State to use live animals. Animal Welfare Trust along with other groups and local activists engaged in a campaign to change this practice. Our campaign included sending an information package to board members of the medical college informing them of the facts concerning the alternatives to the use of live animals. In addition, we were one of the sponsors of a full page ad in the local daily newspaper informing the public of our call to end the practice.

On November 26th the New York Medical College announced it will replace its live animal lab for its first year physiology students with non-animal alternatives. The College will now use echocardiograms while instructors demonstrate physiology principles. We commend the College for this change in policy. Hopefully, we are rapidly approaching the day when no live animal is sacrificed for instruction in medical schools. AWT thanks Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) for their continuing work on this national campaign.