According to Military Times, top officials at the Pentagon have decided to reduce the use of live animals in their medical training sessions starting Jan. 1, 2015.
While this number is being greatly reduced, some live animals will still be used in areas where the department feels there is no other substitute, like survival and combat trauma training. Animals typically used for this training include chickens, rabbits, monkeys and goats. The areas of study that will instead employ electronic simulators or high-tech models include neonatal resuscitation, obstetrics and gynecology and advance trauma life support. Military Times reported that since 2011, the department has been making a concerted effort to move away from animal use whenever possible.
This change in procedure is largely due to action by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has been working with the Department of Defense to move away from the use of live animals for the past few years. According to the Boston Globe, this change is also inspired by the procedures of other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Currently, 22 of these 28 nations have stopped the use of live animals in medical training.