Analysis of ethics indicators of animal use in scientific investigation and education among universitary sample from Health Area and Biological Sciences

Aims: To investigate, in an academic sample, ethical indicators involved in the use of animals on research and education. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to students in class from the first semester of health-related courses (Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Physical Education) and Biological Sciences courses. The variables investigated were: age, gender, course, indicators of interest for the "animal ethics" subject, ethical indicators of the use of animals on scientific research and on education. Data were typed in and analyzed through the SPSS version 11.5 statistic software. Results were expressed by descriptive statistics. Results: a total of 363 students answered the questionnaires. The age average was 19.59 +/- 3.17 years old (69.3% female). Most of the students had some previous knowledge about the subject; have not participated in practical classes with animals in their undergraduate courses, but have participated still in High School; would take into consideration the pain/suffering of guinea-pigs, their well-being and their number as much in education as in research; and are interested on the subject and would participate on courses about this theme. The students very often placed themselves in favor of animal substitution in education activities. Conclusions: students are sensitized by the use of animals on research and education. These findings are important in the context of animal ethics, whereas their disclosure may aid the contemplation about the ethically proper use of sentient beings.