DoD cutting back on use of live animals for surgery training

Federal Drive

DoD cutting back on use of live animals for surgery training

Both the Defense Department and animal right activists hope to reduce or end the use of 6,000 live animals a year for trauma surgery training.

Federal News Network Staff

August 6, 2012 7:26 am

< a min read

Navy and Marine Corps medical trainers are moving away from the use of live animals to teach surgical techniques.

They’re now using simulated bodies known as cut suits. Marine Corps Times reports both the Defense Department and animal right activists hope to reduce or end the use of 6,000 live animals a year for trauma surgery training.

The cut suit was developed by a company called Strategic Operations. The device simulates the look, feel and smell of real surgery. Live soldiers wear them in mock battles to make the surgery even more realistic. Cut suits are optimized to specific procedures such as stopping hemorrhages or opening blocked airways.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.