Recently in biology class, we dissected rats. I found it exciting and a great learning experience, but I found that not everyone thinks the same while doing some research online. Many people believe dissection is cruel to animals, and schools should not force students to dissect animals. Many people also think that animal dissection is gross; some people end up fainting or throwing up. This did not happen in my class, but other people shared their dissection stories online.
In Alexandria during the third century B.C., the first documented scientific dissection on a human took place. Anatomy was explored mainly through the dissection of animals, primarily pigs, and monkeys. The church did not ban anatomy, but social authorities rejected dissecting human corpses. This lasted until the 12th and 13th centuries. During the 17th century, people would build an anatomical theater in many cities. These anatomical theaters held dissection presentations that both rich and poor attended. During the eighth century, dissection was seen more often in schools.
I do not have a problem with dissection; I think it is a great learning experience. I do not believe the world would be where it is today without the dissection of animals. Dissection teaches students about medicine and different parts of the body. It also teaches students if they would enjoy being in the medical field. The rats we dissected in the class were already dead from previous medical experience. Most cats that are dissected are from animal shelters that were put down. When I think about innocent animals dying, it makes me sad, but I think high school and college students need to dissect animals to continue to learn about anatomy.
If you are a student who does not want to participate in dissection, it is your choice. The dissection choice law protects kindergarten through high school. This allows students the right to refuse to participate in classroom experiments like dissection.
If you are a freshman, are you looking forward to dissection next year? Why or why not?
If you have dissected something before, what were your thoughts on it?
Do you think dissection is animal cruelty or should be banned? If yes why?
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-argument-against-high-school-animal-dissections
Replies
Yeah, dissection is disgusting and it can be animal cruelty. But, it does help you learn about how the body system works. I personally would want to dissect rats so I learn about the body. I never dissected anything before, but I have seen my dad gut deer. It was gross, but I got to see the insides of our bodies. I don't think it should be banned entirely. If you don't want to dissect then you do have to.
I agree, I also think that it should not be banned because dissection helps teach students about the body.
I feel like I will be grossed out, but mostly excited to learn about anatomy. I feel like this can be a great learning experience for everyone. As long as we aren't finding perfectly healthy animals to kill for this I don't see a problem. Also if we are dissecting rats I don't see a problem.
It is really exciting, you get to see and learn about all the different organs and muscles!
When I was a freshman I was looking forward to hopefully dissecting something because I thought it would be a good learning experience. I did disect a rat and it was not the greatest experience, not at all what I thought it was going to be. I do not think that it is cruel because anything being dissected today is in plentiful population.
I dissected in biology also this year. After I got used to being grossed out, I found it interesting to see each muscle and organ inside the rats. Personally, I don't think dissecting is cruel or should be banned. The animals are dead, so it isn't affecting anything at that point. I think dissecting is a great way to learn and understand the bodies of each organism and definitely find it interesting. If we didn't dissect certain animals after they died, we probably wouldn't know much about certain animals and how they function.
At first when he just handed me a rat I was grossed out, but after I got used to it I also thought it was really cool and a great way to learn!
I don't think dissecting an already dead animal is cruel because obviously, it cannot feel pain. If someone was dissecting on LIVE animals, I could understand the problem people have, but I don't think it's morally wrong to dissect a deceased animal for scientific research purposes. There is a benefit for many people/animals that comes from dissecting.
I agree, as long as the animal is already dead I don't have a problem with dissection.
No, I get sick just watching shows that have to do with surgery. I don't think there is anything wrong with dissection, but it grosses me out a lot. I don't think that it is animal cruelty if the animal if previously dead and not killed for the purpose of dissection. I do think that students should be given a clear choice on whether they want to do it or not. Some students could have something against it. I do think that it is good though because students get to learn the anatomy first hand.
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