what to do if I don't want to dissect an animal?

Question

I have to take human anatomy on the next semester and we will have to dissect an animal. It is strongly against my thoughts and ideas I just cant do it... any advice of what to do ... if you already had a similiar situation

Answer 1

Say is agaisnt your religion, that you would only be able to observe and write perhaps a report but not actually be part of the dissection!

Answer 2

Speak to your instructor about your concerns. Sometimes exceptions may be made. However, I strongly advise using the dissection as a positive learning experience, particularly if you're entering the health profession. Computer simulations, textbooks, and anatomical models can only offer so much. Once the initial shock of dissection is over, it quickly becomes routine work. I always enjoyed anatomy labs, just give it a chance.

Answer 3

If you are in high school you do not have to do this particular assignment. You will be required to do an equally time consuming project. I strongly recommend the dissection. The educational benifits are huge. Just pretend you are making dinner :)

You may also want to suggest three alternative websites to your teacher. I don't remember the address but if you search virtual pig dissection, virtual frog dissection and virtual sheep dissection you should come up with some interesting info. Lastly, check the PETA website for laws in your state regarding this issue. Good luck!

Answer 4

At my school dissections are able to be done on computer or on an actual animal. Dissections are part of the governmental curriculum, so thus your teachers have the right to make you dissect an animal, but as long as your school has computers, they technically don't have to right to refuse you from using the computer to technologically dissect an animal.

Answer 5

If you don't really want to find out what is inside a human or an animal I think you are on the wrong career path.

All those parts that look like obvious lines in a book (like an optic nerve) turn out to instead have the appearance of a greasy skinny spaghetti in real life. Even worse they are not exactly where you expect them to be. Finding out about reality is why the practical part of the course exists. You won't learn if you don't participate.

You can wiggle out of the course but you will never be prepared for careers in related fields.

Answer 6

You will have to dissect things like an earthworm, an ascaris worm, and a fetal pig.

You should have no problem with the worms.
With the fetal pig, those are expensive, so you will be partnered with one or two other students. Let them do the cutting; you just handle the sketching and identification of the organs.

Answer 7

Well, I skipped biology in high school for just this reason and when I took human anatomy in college there was no dissection. Ask the teacher about getting out of it and ask your counselor about other choices such as botany that meet the school requirements.

Answer 8

I had to do it in high school (a cat). It taught me a whole lot about anatomy, I highly recommend it.

However, it you don't want to then start with the teacher who is teaching that class and ask them for suggestions. Then go on up to the dean or principal. But at all times be mature about your ideas. Don't look like an immature, squeamish liitle kid.

Answer 9

You are not cutting up a live animal you understnd that don't you? I would not want a doctor who hadn't had a the opportunity to do a disection.

Answer 10

Generally, you can speak to your instructor and politely ask for permission to not do the disection. Give your reasons, even if they are just that the disection sickens you. Offer to do something equivilent to make it up.