Animals in Schools used for 'Science Experiments'

[HowietheGreat]

I was in honors Biology in high school, and in my freshman year we had to do a sheeps eye, worm, frog and fetal pig. I refused to dissect it and took notes on what was done. They did dissect cats in the later grades. In college the fetal pigs were done again and once more I refused to dissect it. I can see where vet techs and vets in general need to do this. It still makes me sad because I am sure the cats are donated from shelters (Errrgggg overpopulation and irresponsible pet owners-that is another topic) but for them they are doing it for the greater good. I see no reason for a student that is not invloved in medicine to do it.

[amm59]

Forcing students to dissect animals is against the law in some states. These two sites are helpful...

Dissection Alternatives / a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) site

Dissection Laws

[NothingMore]

Dissecting doesn't really bother me, I'm majoring in pre-veterinary medicine next year, probably going to end up being a vet tech.

I've dissected squid, earthworms, fish, frogs, rats, and a cat. And I've been to the nearby university's med center where we took a tour of the room where they discet cadavers.

We were allowed to opt out of everything except for the cat (It was part of an advanced science class that you signed up for with the understanding that you could NOT skip dissecting the cat).Many of the cats I'm assuming would have died shortly if they hadn't been put down. A lot of them had cancerous growths. One poor cat was pregnant with four kittens, almost ready to deliver.AND she'd been shot with a pellet gun several times.

[Shaffy]

AND she'd been shot with a pellet gun several times.

Who on earth would do that? thats just mean. I think it was child who did that, probaly not older that me (i'm a young person) i wonder what the parents would do?

[peppererwin]

In my school they disect frogs, pigs and cats. I have done the same thing you did, but the dean wasnt very happy with me and gave me an F in the class. I don't care tho, it's better than doing that to an animal.