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What is Dissection?

From an animal rights perspective, "dissection" refers to the act of cutting apart dead animal specimens to observe their internal structure, usually as part of biology, anatomy or other academic courses. The most commonly used animals are earthworms, frogs, fish, mice, rats, pigeons, rabbits, pigs and cats. According to the National Anti-Vivisection Society , an estimated 6 million animals are dissected each year in U.S. high schools.

In contrast, "vivisection" is a much broader term, including dissection as well as other injurious experiments on living animals, especially those carried out during animal testing and other research procedures. Animal rights advocates oppose both dissection and vivisection activities. Dissection that is done as part of a necropsy (an autopsy on animals) is usually not debated by animal rights advocates. In these cases, the animal has not been killed for the purpose of dissection, and the procedure is being used to ascertain the cause of death, such as with a deceased companion animal.

There is no federal law giving students the choice to opt-out of dissection in the classroom. However, several states do have laws requiring dissection alternatives to be offered upon student request, including California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. In addition, some local school districts have student choice policies that were enacted after one or more students expressed concerns about dissection.

Arguments Against Dissection

Proponents claim that dissection helps students understand the function and relationships of internal organs by seeing the inside of an animal first-hand. However, critics of dissection argue that alternatives not only are more humane but also are superior teaching tools. In addition, animal rights advocates contend that the negative aspects of dissection are harmful to animals, the environment and students.

Ethical Issues

Many animals are bred specifically to be killed and used as dissection specimens. Others are caught and removed from their wild habitats. During the time that they are collected, warehoused and transported, many suffer inhumane treatment. Additional animal body parts used in dissection, such as cow eyes and fetal pigs, are byproducts from animals killed after enduring inhumane treatment in factory farming situations. Using animal byproducts supports this cruel industry.

The largest animal supply company in the U.S., Carolina Biological Supply Company (CBSC), has been charged with numerous violations to the Animal Welfare Act, including one charge of embalming cats who were still alive. Other supply sources are located outside the U.S., so animals do not covered by protections of the Animal Welfare Act.

Wildlife & Environmental Issues

Millions of animals are taken from their habitats every year for dissection, including frogs and amphibians that are candidates for endangered species status. Upsetting the ecological balance by disrupting amphibian populations can lead to a unwanted surge in insect populations.

Impact on Students

The dismemberment of dead animals can desensitize students and encourage a view of animals as inanimate objects rather than living beings who once felt pain. This attitude can lead to future acts of violence toward animals and, as research has shown, violence toward humans. Moreover, the disturbing aspects of dissection can discourage some students from pursuing future studies or careers in science because they may believe erroneously that scientific study requires harm to animals.

Animals that have been killed for dissection purposes are commonly preserved in formaldehyde, which is a possible human carcinogen, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Children often are exposed chemical fumes at toxic levels in the classroom. To be able to smell the chemical, according to the EPA, its level must be at least 0.8 ppm (parts per million). The maximum level for adults set by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is just 0.5 ppm.

Alternatives to Dissection

According to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: “Research consistently shows that cruelty-free alternatives teach concepts of anatomy and biology just as well or better than traditional dissection. They also teach students to value and respect all life forms, and can save schools money in the long run.” The organization cites numerous studies comparing traditional dissection to humane alternative methods, all showing that students performed academically as well or better using the alternative methods. The HSUS also has an annotated list of comparative studies.

Unlike traditional dissection, alternatives to dissection allow students to repeat exercises, which enhances the learning process. Synthetic animal models and computer software with sophisticated graphics and interactive features provide suitable – and superior – educational tools. These alternatives are safer for students and are more cost effective for schools.

Organizations Promoting Dissection Alternatives

• American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS)
• Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)
• Ethical Science Education Coalition (ESEC)
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
• National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
• TeachKind

Other Resources

• The Use of Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives and Recommendations can be downloaded for free from the HSUS website. This publication, written by Jonathan Balcombe and with an introduction by Jane Goodall, is part of the Humane Society Press Public Policy Series. It takes a comprehensive look at dissection and live-animal use, as well as alternatives to both, from educational, sociological and policy perspectives.