Should schools ban animal dissection?

Question

im in debate and i want to know your opinions.
i personally think they should because there are alternatives to cutting open animals.
like: online dissectiin at certain websites.

Answer 1

Modern computer software makes it possible to view virtual dissections that are just as good or even better than real dissections.

On the other hand, real experience is better than virtual experience. If the animal used in classroom is properly euthanized (killed without any pain or suffering on the part of the animal) then I think it's OK to use it for dissection. But I am afraid it is impossible to kill an animal without causing it any pain.

Any student who feels uncomfortable dissecting an animal should be allowed to opt out.



.

Answer 2

My experience with dissection of animals in school is pretty limited. I came from what was an improvised school district in Jr Hi and high school and then did not pursue biology beyond that. In Jr. Hi. all we dissected were worms, grasshoppers and sheep's hearts ( gotten from a large scale butchering plant). Unless you are a vegetarian or a member of PETA there are very few arguments against these dissections. I know that the AP bio class in my High school used cats that were terminated at the pound for their main dissection. I know that the arguments for would be a use for these dead animals and the arguments against are with those who are against killing animals to control the stray population. but all this was back in the 1980s.
For dissections in the privilege schooling I agree that there is little need for actual dissections. For the most part I am more concerned about the expense than the cutting of dead animals open. If you are thinking about things like the scene in ET where the kids are chloroforming the frogs that is a different story.

In college I think it is important for those going into biological fields to have the hands on knowledge of the dissection. It can also help kids know if they can handle that. Video and computer program can be very good guides but there is alot that you need to have actual hands on expedience for.
Personally I would never say use a website but purchase a computer program or a DVD instead.

Now if you are talking about vivisection on live animals that is a whole different story. I think that the practice is cruel and horrid and with little need to the academic community.

Answer 3

In all honesty Tori, I think it is perfectly harmless.
1)It's optional, the parents/students can decide wether or not they want to do it
2)The animal is dead, it won't feel a thing
3)It's very educational, and involves hands-on learning
But for the opposing side, I'd look at how those animals were retrieved. Were they Killed FOR the dissection, or were they randomly found?

Answer 4

schools ban animal dissection

Answer 5

No, I don't think there is any alternative that teaches students as much as actual disection. It always looks and feels different on the computer than doing it yourself. And most people who have a real problem with that sort of thing aren't going to have majors that require courses that do that. I could see maybe having an option of using the computer for students who aren't comfortable with real disection, but not altogether banning it.

Answer 6

Well, actually they aren't killing the animals, at least from the company that our school purchases from. I would say that schools shouldn't ban animals. It's a unique, interactive method in teaching anatomy or how body system work.

Answer 7

nah there is nothing better than hands on experience

Answer 8

I think they should because you are killing their species and in a while their will not be any.