Aiming to verify the possibility of substituting animals in practical lessons we compared the learning performance of two separate groups of medical students. The groups participated in different classes teaching cytological techniques, with and without use of experimental animals. At the end of the lessons the students were asked to answer a questionnaire, evaluating the learning techniques and the feelings they experienced in the lessons using animals. Curiosity was found to be the most frequent feeling in the students of both gender. Negative feelings predominated among women on the contrary to men, whose feelings were mostly positive or indifferent. As refers to the specific questions, the performance of the two groups was similar. There is evidence that in most cases animals can be substituted in practical lessons without any prejudice for the teaching/learning process. Seen that the same knowledge can be transmitted through other means, the methodologies used in some lessons of the medical course should be reconsidered, not only in respect to the life of animals but also for introducing ethical values to the students.
Education, Medical; Animal Testing Alternatives; Students, Medical
