In this activity, students consider the use of mice for bioassays and in establishing the lethal dose when researching/testing toxins. They consider the rights and responsibilities of all those affected by these methods and make a decision as to whether mice should be used in researching and testing for toxins.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- identify the use of animals in research or testing as a controversial issue
- demonstrate a scientific understanding of the controversial issue
- make a decision as to whether mice should be used in testing for toxins and be able to justify their decision.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
- introduction/background notes
- what you need
- what to do
- student handout.
Useful links
Ethics and research animals is a class case study of using animals in research in a year 7–8 class.
Read about legal aspects of animal welfare on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
A New Zealand Herald article about animal use at Otago University: University’s death toll – 25,000 animals in 2 years and a response by Siouxsie Wiles.
An Otago Daily Times article about who uses animals in testing.
