Learning physiology without animal experiments: A paradox

摘要

"I Hear and I Forget, I See and I Remember, I Do and I Understand" said the Confucius. All these things are present in the teaching-learning cycle. Medical profession is all about doing and hence doing - the practicals assume great importance. In the practicals, there are certain things which cannot be practiced on human beings because of ethical consideration. Hence, our founder fathers of medical education included animal experiments at different levels of learning. The experimental physiology in the medical schools is invincible. Now, it is almost in the phase of extinction barring few centres. I am living witness to see the extinction of the experimental physiology decade after decade. I have been silently and helplessly observing over the past 40 years.