What's Wrong with Dissection and Vivisection? : Animalearn

What's Wrong with Dissection and Vivisection?> Choosing NOT to Harm Animals in the Classroom> Laws and Legislation (K-12)> How to Create a Student Choice Policy (College/University)> FAQs> Dissection Issues>

What's Wrong with Dissection & Vivisection?
Every year, millions of animals are dissected or vivisected (to cut into a living being) in schools and universities. It is estimated that 170 animal species or more are used for dissection and vivisection. Cats, frogs, fetal pigs, grasshoppers, mink, earthworms, rats, mice, dogs, pigeons, and turtles are just some of the many species used.

While most of the animals used in schools and universities are purchased as dead specimens, many are subjected to painful and lethal procedures while still alive. Animals are also obtained as 'byproducts' of extremely cruel industries. For instance, slaughterhouses provide fetal pigs, and fur farms sell skinned mink, foxes, and rabbits. Most of these animals led deprived lives and standards regarding humane slaughter or death at such facilities are sometimes not enforced.

Over the past several decades, educators have begun to question the value of the use of animals. Now, teachers and professors recognize that students can learn equally as well and often better through the use of modern technology. There is also an important lesson taught when not using real animals: Students learn to respect living beings and begin to appreciate and understand the role of animals in nature. This is fundamental to biology, the study of life.