Computer Simulation of Animal Systems in the Medical School Laboratory

Abstract

Summary

Many generations of medical students learned more than just the principles of the basic medical sciences from experimental animals. Animals have also provided them with their first opportunity to become acquainted with the characteristics of living tissue. It has long been contended that the number of animals used in medical teaching was greater than was necessary to meet the second objective. Until the advent of low cost microcomputers, however, there was no way to diminish animal use without compromising the quality of instruction. Computer programs simulating both human and animal systems are being developed at several institutions which will improve teaching while reducing the number of animals used. The advantages and disadvantages of the simulations are discussed.