![]() ![]() There is a stark moral distinction between growing animals for the sake of study and utilizing animals or animal parts that would otherwise have gone to waste the former is inhumane and unethical, but the latter is a productive use of unwanted animals and can lead to scientific contributions. The most controversial aspect of animal dissection is the sources of the animals used. Students who opt out of dissections are given alternatives, such as being observers rather than dissectors. According to Goldenkranz, out of roughly 600 students across the department, four to five students choose not to participate. Whether it is because of a conscientious objection to dissection or personal reasons regarding health or religion, the school allows students the right to opt-out of dissections, although it is uncommon. ![]() Through handling scalpels, using chemicals and looking at samples through a microscope, students can practice hand-eye coordination and attention to detail, which are valuable skills that will stick with them even after leaving an academic environment.ĭespite the benefits, many students choose not to participate in the dissection. The dissection also allows students to develop fine motor skills not typically taught in a classroom setting. Said Goldenkranz, “Students who sometimes don’t excel in other academic ways, like they’re not always good at the paper and pencil stuff, those students really step up and are super good around a hands-on activity like the pigs The multi-sensory nature of it is really worthwhile because it brings out strengths in the kids that we don’t usually see.” The practice of procedures done in real life inspires students to pursue careers in the science and medical fields, which can help shift the perspectives of students who might not have considered themselves academically oriented. ![]() Through the study of fetal pigs, students can deepen their understanding of human health and physiology. While only a minority of students choose to go into a healthcare profession, everyone will struggle with illness at some point in their lives. Moreover, the anatomical similarity of pigs compared to humans makes them the ideal specimen to learn about human anatomy. Said Andrew Goldenkranz, who teaches ninth-grade biology, “So we can establish everything we’ve learned about populations in either genetics or evolution, but you can only do that when you have a population of pigs that you’re working with.” The hearts are then be measured, weighed, and compared with data from peers to answer critical questions related to variation and natural selection learned in earlier units. A component of the dissection involves removing the heart of the fetal pig. The dissection allows students to establish concepts learned throughout the school year, such as genetics or population. The skills learned by students through performing dissections are valuable assets to them even after leaving an academic environment and are not easily replaced with alternative methods.įor students at Cupertino High School, one of the most memorable parts of their freshman experience is the fetal pig dissection. Growing concern over the ethicality of dissection, as well as developing technology allowing for cruelty-free alternatives has raised the question in many school districts across the country: should dissection be removed from school curriculums?Īnimal dissections are an overall beneficial and productive use of dead animals, given that they are utilized and sourced under ethical conditions. However, with over twelve million animals used for dissection each year, the widespread practice has gathered substantial opposition, especially towards the ethics of the issue. Animal dissection is a common activity performed in high school biology classes across North America, typically involving pigs, frogs, mice, or worms. ![]()
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