In the NSC 3210 lab, learning and behavior, students are given the privilege to work with live animals by studying operant conditioning paradigms (teaching the rats to press a lever for water). Students were promised at the beginning of the lab that the animals would never be harmed. However 3 weeks before the end of the semester, shocking news broke. The rats we had grown to love would be euthanized. We, the students, never consented to be complicit in the death of an innocent animal. There is no specific reason to euthanasia of these beautiful animals other than "the rules say so". Please help change this policy and hopefully save the 60 rats we worked with this semester. 

Here is more information about the case.

Information regarding the case:

Course number and name: NSC/PSY3120: Learning & Behavior Lab – Spring 2022

Learning & Behavior Lab

Lab timings: 8/22/22-11/26/22

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:20-1:10pm

Professors:

Professor, author of manual, and creator of expiriments: Dr. Hugh H. Riley

▪ Office: Baylor Science Building (BSB), Room A-331

▪ Office/Cell Phone: 254-710-2257 / 254-749-9182

▪ E-mail: Hugh_Riley@Baylor.edu

Professor: Dr. Ben Schwartz

▪ Office: Baylor Science Building (BSB), Room A313

▪ Office Hours: 3:30 to 5 MF

▪ Office Phone: 254-710-2237

▪ E-mail: Ben_Schwartz@Baylor.edu

Teaching Assistant: Mariana Dejeux

▪ Office: Baylor Science Building (BSB), Room A-361R.1

 

▪ E-mail: Mariana_Dejeux1@Baylor.edu

 Teaching Assistant: John Reinhart

▪ Office: Baylor Science Building (BSB), Room A-355R.1

Email: John_Reinhart@baylor.edu

 

Department Head: N. Bradley Keele

Phone: (254) 710-2238

Email:NB_Keele@baylor.edu

 

Institutional official of Baylor IACUC: Kevin Chambliss

Kevin_Chambliss@baylor.edu

Professor

Vice Provost for Research

Kevin_Chambliss@baylor.edu

Pat Neff 3rd Floor

(254) 710-3763

 

Dr. Ryan Stoffel, DVM, PhD, DACLAM

 

Attending Veterinarian/Animal Program Director

 

Telephone: 254-710-2541

 

Ryan_Stoffel@baylor.edu

I have spoken to everyone on thus list, they have told me the same answer or no answer, it is in the protocols. Yet, there was no protocol given.

 

My concerns:

I don't think there is a need or purpose to euthanasia and regardless the lack of information and transparency creates issues of consenting to compliance in the death of an animal. I was never told of this possibility, I feel betrayed and I want to do everything I can to save the rats from an unnecessary fate.

Events:

8/21: I was told no harm would be done to animals and took the lab

11/13: Students informed of euthanasia through rumors.

11/15: rumors confirmed by meeting with professor and alternatives were presented by me but rejected

11/20: met with dept. head to work out alternatives, and was informed that changes for next semester were underway but the rats this semester would still die.

11/21: I dug deeper and found that the NIH was involved and reached out.

12/7: reached out to PETA

12/8: reached out to several related organizations, please comment more if you have any.