Lawsuit Against Macalester College Over Animal Testing in Psychology Courses Dismissed
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Macalester College over its use of animals in psychology courses, although the alumnus who filed the case, Dr. Neal Barnard, said he plans to appeal the decision. The lawsuit, which was filed in June, alleged that the college made false statements about its animal testing practices, leading Barnard to donate $100 to the school and join its Class of 1975 Planning Committee and Gift Subcommittee.
According to the complaint, Barnard, a 1975 Macalester psychology graduate and medical doctor, relied on the college’s website, which stated that “animal welfare standards and ethical principles are applied at the highest possible level in any animal use or research conducted at or in association with the college.” However, after reviewing the website and meeting with the college’s psychology department head, Jaine Strauss, Barnard discovered that the college continued to use “Skinner-inspired animal laboratories” in its introductory psychology courses.
Background on the Case
Barnard, who founded the Washington, D.C.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that advocates for alternatives to animal testing, had previously reviewed Macalester’s website and contacted Strauss to discuss the college’s current practices. Despite being informed about the college’s use of animal laboratories, Barnard believed that the college was open to reform and accepted an invitation to join the Class of 1975 Planning Committee and serve on its Gift Subcommittee.
However, after participating in committee meetings and soliciting donations from fellow alumni, Barnard donated $100 to the school, which he claimed was made under false pretenses. The college’s website included a “Make a Gift” link for making charitable donations, which Barnard used to make his donation. Macalester’s President, Suzanne Rivera, stated that the college is “deeply committed to academic freedom” and respects the expertise of its faculty in determining what to teach and how to teach it.
Judge’s Decision
Judge Karen Janisch dismissed the lawsuit, citing that Barnard had conducted an independent investigation into the college’s practices before making his donation and therefore could not claim that he reasonably relied on the college’s website statement. The judge also noted that the college made no separate promise to Barnard to change any practice, and therefore he could not establish a valid claim for fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation.
Janisch concluded that Barnard’s knowledge of the use of animals in classroom settings before donating precluded him from establishing that he suffered an injury caused by the alleged false statement on Macalester’s website. The judge’s decision was based on the Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act, which allows private civil action by a consumer who claims injury by a violation in connection with a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes.
Next Steps
Barnard has stated that he plans to appeal the judge’s decision, citing that medical schools have dropped animal labs from their curricula and that Macalester should do the same. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine issued a statement supporting Barnard’s decision to appeal, stating that “Mac should, too” drop animal labs from its curriculum.
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