Judge dismisses Macalester animal-testing lawsuit by alum
A judge dismissed an alum’s animal‑welfare lawsuit against Macalester College, throwing out two of three counts without prejudice and prompting plaintiff Dr. Neal Barnard to say he plans to refile; Judge Karen Janisch found Barnard had conducted an independent investigation and could not reasonably rely on alleged misrepresentations, and noted the college had made no promise to change its practices. Macalester says its psychology program still uses operant‑conditioning "Skinner box" experiments and about 100 rats a year (many used in multiple activities and living 2–3 years) that are euthanized by an experienced technician with carbon dioxide, and President Suzanne Rivera said the ruling affirms academic freedom and prevents outside groups from dictating curriculum.
📌 Key Facts
- Judge Karen Janisch dismissed two of the three counts in the animal-welfare lawsuit brought by Macalester alum Dr. Neal Barnard; Barnard says he plans to refile.
- The lawsuit challenged Macalester College’s use of rodents in psychology research, including operant conditioning ('Skinner box') experiments.
- The court found Barnard had conducted an independent investigation and therefore could not reasonably rely on alleged misrepresentations, and it noted the college had made no promise to change its practices.
- Macalester’s psychology program uses about 100 rats per year; many rats are used in multiple activities and typically live 2–3 years.
- According to the department chair, rats are euthanized by an experienced technician using carbon dioxide.
- Macalester President Suzanne Rivera said the ruling affirms academic freedom and that outside groups cannot dictate the college’s curriculum.
📰 Sources (2)
- Two of the three counts were dismissed without prejudice, and Dr. Neal Barnard says he plans to refile.
- Judge Karen Janisch’s reasoning emphasized Barnard conducted an independent investigation and could not reasonably rely on alleged misrepresentations; the court also noted the college made no promise to change practices.
- Macalester continues using operant conditioning ('Skinner box') experiments; the psychology program uses about 100 rats per year, many used in multiple activities and living 2–3 years.
- Rats are euthanized by an experienced technician using carbon dioxide, according to the department chair.
- Macalester President Suzanne Rivera said the ruling affirms academic freedom and that outside groups cannot dictate curriculum.