University of Ulm Stops Cruel Pig Labs

October 2011 

After learning that the University of Ulm in Germany was conducting an elective course in which junior surgeons—with the participation of medical students—cut apart live pigs for surgical training, PETA and PETA Germany contacted the school with information about existing humane and superior non-animal training methods and urged them to end the pig labs. We also pointed out that the laboratories appeared to violate German law, which requires the use of non-animal teaching alternatives where available. After months of follow-up with the university and without any commitment that the course would end, PETA Germany posted an action alert and an online feature, published a news release, and sent an email-alert to the group’s supporters. Two hours later, the university e-mailed PETA Germany to say that it was permanently ending the pig lab.