The Pros and Cons of Dissection

A detailed Summary of The Pros and Cons of Dissection

What is dissection? For some the procedure has solved some of the mysteries of life, for others it was simply disgusting and cruel. (N.Y. Times) But by definition, dissection is the observing or cutting into a dead animal for the purposes of learning anatomy or physiology. (Myth vs. Reality...) There are also many other questions that students and others may have about dissection. There are many arguments as to whether it is necessary for education or inhumane and this act should stop completely. Through my research I have found that it is both necessary and it can be inhumane. However an alternative should always be available for the student unwilling to dissect and at no expense to their grade.

Many advances in medicine and in the understanding of how organisms function have been the direct result of animal dissection. Aristotle who revealed anatomical differences amoung animals by dissecting them performed some of the earliest recorded studies involving animals. (Nichols) In the United States dissections were common in colleges as early as the late 1800s. (Myth vs. Reality...) Nevertheless, rebellion has been growing in the science laboratories of the nation's schools as a growing number of students refuse to d

A question many students have is "Why do we have to dissect?". Some teachers feel it is a "rite of passage" since it is usually done at the end of the school year. Others really do feel it is a productive tool. And for some old habits die hard. (Myth vs. Reality) Since they did it, their parents and grandparents did it why shouldn't their students? Most students and biologists feel that the hands-on learning, exploring and examining, concretes the information previously learned and gives it more of an importance and shows its relevance. One student stated that, "For surgery purposes an experience in dissecting is imperative. Another student agreed in saying, "... people in our class may be tomorrows doctors and nurses and they need as much experience as they can get if we are going to have quality medical care (in the future)" A different student said that, "The systems worked as a 'whole' rather than as separate entities, like textbooks present." Yet another student believes, "...because the fetal pig is amazingly similar to the human, I was able to understand my own anatomy and physiology." (Students of Hickman H.S...) As, shown by these students' comment one can see that come pupils agree with the leagues of biologists and teachers who are for dissection. Other students do not agree.

Sadly enough, six million to seven million animals are consumed by this industry per year. (Dissection and Student...) Some students and even teachers wonder, " Where do these animals we are dissecting come from?" They come from a many number of sources and not all of them legit. Some come from the wild or breeding facilities. Others come from slaughterhouse as "by-products", like fetal pigs from the pregnant mother. Some specimens like minks, foxes and rabbits come from fur ranches. Some even come from pet stores, shelters and pounds. Unluckily for some animals they will be stolen by Class B dealers who get the specimens from "random sources" in which many of them are companion animals. Most of the time, these animals suffer inhumane confinement and transport and finally killed by means of gassing, neck snapping and other "inexpensive" methods. (Nichols) Many of the cats that are dissected come from other countries, namely Mexico where they are dronwed or their throats are slit and sent to the states to be distributed. (Lastchanceforanimals.com) A considerable amount of investigation into biological supply companies have found that they practice very shady actions in regards to preparing biological specimens for dissecting. Mainly, the animals are not always dead before they are embalmed. (Nichols) Students also question what happens to them once they are harvested or captured. Amphibians and reptiles often suffocate or are crushed during transportation. Frogs are

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Category: Science