Animal Dissection

[Randy]

Dissecting a frog might be one of the most memorable school experiences for many students, whether they are enthusiastic participants, prefer lab time to lectures, or are conscientious objectors to dissection.

The use of animal dissection in education goes back as far as the 1500s when Belgian doctor Andreas Vesalius used the practice as an instructional method for his medical students.

Animal dissections became part of American K-12 school curricula in the 1920s. About 75-80% of North American students will dissect an animal by the time they graduate high school. An estimated six to 12 million animals are dissected in American schools each year. In at least 21 states and DC, K-12 students have the legal option to request an alternate assignment to animal dissection.

While frogs are the most common animal for K-12 students to dissect, students also encounter fetal pigs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, minks, birds, turtles, snakes, crayfish, perch, starfish, and earthworms, as well as grasshoppers and other insects. Sometimes students dissect parts of animals such as sheep lungs, cows’ eyes, and bull testicles. [2]

Are animal dissections in K-12 schools crucial learning opportunities that encourage science careers and make good use of dead animals? Or are animal dissections unnecessary experiments that promote environmental damage when ethical alternatives exist?

Thoughts?

 

[passenger]

I think that these studies are vital; yes, in K-12. I can't imagine adequate ethical alternatives; I don't consider just looking at images on a computer screen nearly as effective as "hands-on".

 

[PGen98]

I don't think it's strictly necessary these days, particularly with all we can learn from online sources, but I suppose it's more of a right of passage now. I was sick when it happened in my school, otherwise I probably would have done it, but I don't believe it's really needed anymore.

 

[Elvira]

I am so glad that I never had to do it.

 

[duskpire]

I think it's very necessary. Especially for people wanting to become a veterinarian in order to operate and save animals.

 

[passenger]

I think it's very necessary. Especially for people wanting to become a veterinarian in order to operate and save animals.

I think it's good, too, to learn at an early age if this sort of thing might be your "bag"/or not.
I don't want some hot shot who's excellent at cracking the books and gets great grades deciding he/she wants to become a doctor because it pays good grossing out & fainting while cutting me open.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I've dissected a frog, a cows eye and a cat in school. I didn't find it fun or interesting. I thought it was gross and I hated the smell of formaldehyde.