Vegan Student Expelled From Moscow State for Refusing to Experiment on Live Frog

Roman Belousov has been a straight A student, but that wasn't enough to save him.

His microbiology course involves dissecting live frogs, rodents and rabbits – something he refuses to do. Belousov says such operations go against his ethical beliefs and are not necessary for his career.

“I refused to experiment on a frog because I had to paralyse it and operate without anaesthetic. I think these tests are senseless especially for someone who doesn’t intend working with animals in the future,” Belousov said.

By not taking part in practical experiments, he's failed some of his exams and has had to repeat his third year three times.

He’s now taking his university professor to court for the right to study without dissecting animals. He wants to be allowed to use other ways of learning, such as computer simulation.

Photo by Nellring