Doctors to Bring Lawsuit Against Medical Schools for Animal Abuse

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and private physicians are asking local prosecutors to stop animal abuse at Johns Hopkins University and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland.

PCRM, along with Martin Wasserman, a pediatrician, and his wife Barbara, an internist, who are both graduates of Johns Hopkins’ medical school, are arguing that the use of live animals at both schools to practice surgery and other techniques not only causes unnecessary suffering, but is in violation of the state’s animal cruelty laws.

The two schools are among a very small number of programs that still use live animals to teach students, as most have made the switch to simulators. According to PCRM, Johns Hopkins already has one and USUHS could make use of the National Capital Area Medical Simulation Center.

“Simulation is not just an alternative but better training” as well as “an opportunity to teach medical students about compassion,” said Wasserman.

Wasserman, who also happens to have a law degree, points out that while animals used in research are exempt from state law, it does not exempt animals who are used in surgery or who are used for students to practice on.

Animals, such as pigs and gerbils, are used to teach students surgical, suturing and intubation techniques, among other things.

For some reason, these schools are sticking with tradition instead of joining the majority of accredited medical school programs in the use of alternatives, while clutching the thin argument that they’re following applicable laws and guidelines.

A spokesman for the state attorney’s office said they received the request for an investigation and will determine what to do after they review it.

Take Action

Send a letter to Dean Edward D. Miller, M.D., and Chair of the Department of Surgery, Julie A. Freischlag, M.D., at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine asking them to stop letting students practice on live animals.

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Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stringbot/

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kathi B.

10:50AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

There is always a better way...

send a green star

jane r.

11:32AM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

thanks

Veronica C.

11:11PM PDT on May 14, 2011

Glad to hear that someone, who might actually have some say, is fighting this.

DobieMax W.

5:27PM PDT on May 9, 2011

Noted

Nancy C.

6:05AM PDT on May 9, 2011

Use "send a letter link". I've done multiple times...

Dana W.

9:36PM PDT on May 8, 2011

A step in the right direction.

Karilyn K.

1:51AM PDT on Apr 3, 2011

this trains doctors to be desensitized to a patients suffering - it's wrong

Arnaud H.

12:48PM PDT on Apr 1, 2011

Lettre envoyée pour 2 personnes

John D.

12:07PM PDT on Mar 30, 2011

this only makes doctors harder in spirit so when they treat humans they will not be so kind as they got a bad start in school

Ruby W.

2:11AM PDT on Mar 22, 2011

There are perfectly good alternatives to this. If it is the professors who are used to it that are the problem, the administration should stand over them and force them to switch. This is what administrators are for - to keep instructors up to date and in line.