Humane science fund offers hope

MEDIA RELEASE

13 September 2005

Humane science fund offers hope

New Zealand science, veterinary and medical students and teachers are being given the opportunity to develop revolutionary life-saving humane education resources and initiatives for the international scientific community.

Teachers, students and those with an interest in enhancing the efficacy and ethics of life science education can submit proposals for this year's 2005 Humane Education Award, offered by the International Network for Humane Education (InterNICHE). InterNICHE promotes humane education methods which teach compassion, respect for life and critical thinking skills. Over $35,000 in funding will be split between successful proposals.

National animal advocacy organisation SAFE, as the New Zealand representative for InterNICHE, endorse this latest effort to spare the lives and suffering of over 100 million animals used in experiments globally each year. New Zealand used over 246,122 animals in experiments last year.

"We urge the biological science community to embrace this exciting opportunity, as the replacement of animals in research has been a strategic goal of many scientists in recent years", said Nichola Kriek, SAFE Education Officer.

"This is a fantastic initiative", says Ms Kriek. "We applaud InterNICHE in its efforts to introduce and promote meaningful and positive advances in biological science without the need to harm animals".

Examples of projects that may be funded through the 2005 Humane Education Award include, but are not limited to:

* Development of a new freeware CD-ROM, video, model or mannequin to achieve replacement.

* Purchase of existing alternative products to achieve replacement.

* Establishment of a student-based self-experimentation programme to replace animals in physiology practical classes.

* Establishment of clinical learning opportunities to replace the use of laboratory animals in clinical skills, surgery and other practical classes.

"This is a wonderful chance for our scientific community to showcase itself on the international stage as a leader in humane research and development. Perhaps another Rutherford is waiting in the wings ready to claim scientific immortality by saving the lives of both human and non-human animals simultaneously."

Application deadline: 25 November 2005 (www.interniche.org/award/2005award.htm)

ENDS

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