Opposing Dissection in High School?

Question

My Biology class has a MANDATORY cat dissection as part of the curriculum. I am morally opposed to this, so i have done much research on consequences of dissection and humane alternatives. Now i need to know how to go about presenting this to my teacher/ school board/ principle etc. Should I talk to my teacher first? Ask her some questions about what company the subjects come from, the annual cost of the dissections, how they dispose of the subjects, if alternatives have ever been considered? Or should I go straight to my principle? I have the info, now i need an effective and convincing way of presenting it.

Answer 1

Just be honest and tell her it freaks you the F out, and if there is something else you can do in place of it. No sense going to all that trouble.

Answer 2

High school is supposed to expose you to various life experiences and opportunities. Biology is to give you a basic knowledge of YOUR system function, and help decide if you want to be a doctor or lab tech. And it's the school district's syllabus, not the teacher's, so learn to live with it. Cats may be cute and cuddly, but they are also very plentiful and easy to work on. Live with it.

Answer 3

That is not legal. Even if your state doesn't have a dissection choice law, you can't be forced to participate in something that goes against your sincerely held ethical or religious beliefs.

Here is a guide to refusing to dissect:

http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-dissec...

I would first talk to your teacher and ask for an alternative. If you teacher isn’t receptive to your concerns, go to the principal. If that doesn't work, contact the superintendent and even the whole school board if necessary.

(Animals used in the dissection industry do suffer terribly before they reach the classroom. Undercover investigations of a major biological supply company found extreme cruelty to live animals. The company even pumped formaldehyde into cats while they were still alive.)

Good luck.

Answer 4

When I did my BSc in Psychology and Sociology I also refused to do histology/dissection and so the tutor for that particular module treated it as a non-submit of work, which of course is a fail.

I appealed stating my beliefs that, although the module was mandatory, it had no bearing on my career path and I should not be discriminated against for my beliefs and I won. The head tutor apologised and said I could choose another module to make up my credits.

If, like me, you are 100% against vivisection then you should definitely say something and appeal if you have too. I handed my report to the Dean but as you are still at school I would hand it to your head teacher.

The school cannot make you do something you find abhorrent.  

Answer 5

Nonsense to the guy 2 above me. You DO NOT have to live with it. Simply REFUSE to do it. Get a good lawyer and come after your school. If you have to, get PETA involved. They have lots of money and would love to get their little fingers on this one.

Meet with the instructor right away and tell him or her that you cannot participate in the dissection because of your "sincerely held religious and moral beliefs about the sanctity of all life," and ask for a non-animal alternative. These words provide the basis for a possible legal case. (You do not have to support any formal religion; the courts have interpreted a belief that animals should not be killed for classroom dissection to be a religious belief, which schools cannot violate.)

Answer 6

they pulled that bull with me when i was in high  school, i got suspended, my mom went in the school, causung a bit of a scene, nd i got my suspension lifted........

you have to do what you believe in, but an added hint....

let you parents in on whats going on BEFOREHAND......they probably will agree that you shouldnt have to do this....and they may even back you up.....

Answer 7

I do not believe they can FORCE you to do this. In my biology class we had to dissect, but the teacher made it clear that if someone was morally against this, other labs were available.

Answer 8

Here Is A Link I Found That Might Be Helpful.

I Dont Really Think That That It Is Legal.

Answer 9

I know that in my state, people can opt out of these mandatory things by citing religious reasons. I had a lot of classmates in AP Bio in high school that opted out of a cat dissection purely because of queasiness towards cat dissection or religious reasons.

A lot of the cats that are used for these things are ones euthanized due to overpopulation at shelters... they'd have been killed anyway, until people learn to spay and neuter their pets, it's jarring to realize that MILLIONS are killed yearly. Therefore at least the cat can serve as an educational tool for you, considering that it died a senseless death because of the neglect of society towards their pets anyway.  It's not like schools are breeding cats and gassing them just for students - there's plenty of unwanted pets that are killed yearly and at least they're being donated to science now. The blame lies on people that don't spay or neuter.

I say that you should combat the problem by becoming active in promoting low cost spay and neuter clinics in your city and by promoting spaying and neutering. That way, you can prevent the problem at it's root. If you refuse to use this vital teaching tool, you have made no difference because the cat is still dead and millions more will follow. The point is, learn from the cat, use it to help you in Bio, use your education to get a good job and become active in preventing this cycle rom happening.

I have been through years of med-related classes now and I have to openly dissect human cadavers and, before we got to humans, we worked on animal parts. These were usually hearts, brains and other parts donated as part of the waste that slaughterhouses make anyway. I plan to become a doctor and to dedicate my life to humanitarian service, traveling to areas of need where people need me. If I were to opt out of all the crucial things along the way because I couldn't handle the harsh realities of the food industry and it's byproducts, I would have failed myself and society. I think it's important to realize that your class isn't causing the death of these animals. It's other industries, like the pet industry and the food industry.

Use every opportunity you can to educate yourself so you can later on be in a position of power, so you can enter medicine or politics and change the oppresive cycles that make these things happen.

Answer 10

I'm pretty sure they have to give you an alternative.  Get your parents involved if your teacher is still unreasonable.  

Answer 11

Grow up, butch up and go take the lab. You'll find it very informative.

If it's any consolation to you, the poster who said that the cat was probably from a shelter and put down is correct. My wife is a veterinarian and had to dissect a dog obtained in a similar manner.

The smell of the preservative was the worst thing about biology dissections when I was in high school, though I suppose it is better than the smell of rotting flesh. We dissected a worm, a frog and a pig fetus.

Answer 12

I would go to the teacher first.  The key is: have your parent or guardian set up a parent/teacher conference.  You don't want to go to your teacher without your parents.  Teachers don't respect students often times, but they have to respect your parents.

Then if you and your parents get nowhere with it, your parents should contact the principle.

Another good step to take would be to write an e-mail to PETA if your teacher doesn't back down to your parents.  No one should have to cut up an animal if they don't want to.  PETA even has information on school dissection.  I included that at the bottom.

Perhaps it's not too late to contact the school and have your schedule changed.  Maybe you can get a different class and still get all your science credits.

I totally feel for you and your rights.  Please don't give up.  It is totally unfair in this day and age to make people do such a barbaric and violent thing.  There are alternatives...such as watching films or looking at pictures in books.

Good luck to you and remember your cause.  I am behind you.

Answer 13

i am pretty sure that is either harrassment or discrimination against your beliefs. get your mom up there and let her tell them something

you could be "sick" that day

Answer 14

A CAT?   you have to cut open a cat!    oh. my. god.  i wouldn't do that either.   like maybe if it was thaaaatt important, a frog or something..... but a domestic animal.  i have a pet cat and could not possibly imagine cutting one open.

i'd talk to your teacher about it and give her your thoughts, and if she doesnt listen then go to the principal.  and thats really stupid that if you refuse to do the dissection you can't pass the class.

good luck!

Answer 15

I know exactly how you feel. I am vegan, a final year zoology student, and have faced many "mandatory" dissections in my years at university. I have not taken part in a single one.

In my years of objection I have faced everything from full support, being told to "grow up" if I want to be a "real scientist", and heads of departments trying to kick me out of my course.

Whilst many people may try and pressure you into compromising your ethics, I want to give you a little hope. You are not alone in facing this situation. You do not need to take part in these dissections in order to learn, I am living proof :) An A+ student who has just been headhunted for her dream research position and who will be returning to university for postgraduate studies next year. I have achieved all this without taking part in ethically questionable labs... In fact I am sure that part of the reason I have done so well is the burning motivation to say f**k you to the departments who tried to tell me I couldn't learn without killing other sentient beings.

I would usually suggest going to your teacher first, as they are often more receptive to being approached personally rather than students going over their heads. However, if your teacher has made their position clear, you may want to skip that step.

Make sure you decide what you are willing to do before talking to anyone. For example, are you ok with being in the room when the dissections are taking place as long as you don't take part? There is no right or wrong answer, just examine your own principles. Tell your teacher that you do not wish to take part in the dissections and ask if there are alternatives available, they may surprise you.

I personally stay in the same room as I feel that by being there but obviously not taking part I am a physical reminder that there is something wrong about animal use teaching (and animal exploitation in general of course!).

If you live in the US I strongly recommend the book Vivisection and Dissection in the Classroom: A Guide to Conscientious Objection by the fantastic lawyer and animal rights advocate Gary L. Francione. It outlines your rights as well as giving practical advice. Unfortunately it didn't help me much because I live in a different country with different laws. Either way, research is always good. I would especially look into whether or not your teachers claim that you can not pass without cutting into a cat is legal. If you are at university try and see if there is a student support network that can help you. They often help students with situations such as yours where their personal ethics/religious beliefs clash with those of the university.

As for the argument that the cats are dead already... (this is mainly to others reading, or for you to use when others ask you the same thing).

Sure, your not dissecting them will not bring them back to life but I think of it this way: I someone offered you a burger and told you to eat it as "it is dead already", would you? I suspect not. As by eating that hamburger you are condoning the death of that animal, you are saying that its death was justified (rather than being unnecessary, purely for the selfish pleasure of eating flesh).

I see dissection as a similar situation. By taking part you are conforming to the idea that we NEED to kill and dissect animals to learn about them. We do NOT! Also, many businesses/industries responsible for killing these animals often use their donation/selling of the bodies for "research purposes" as either justification for their mass slaughter or to make a side profit.

I wish you the best of luck! If you need any more help/need to rant, feel free to email me :)

Answer 16

I just want to 2nd what Maggie said, i couldn't do dissections in high school because I physically passed out (on the floor the teacher had to cover me with his jacket...) because of the smell and gross-out factor, but was not opposed to it because of the "big picture" Maggie mentioned.  

"56% of dogs and 71% of cats that enter animal shelters are euthanized."

http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageS...

Answer 17

I would simply talk to your teacher first. I wouldn't go about questioning her, or berating her with with facts and figures. I think your best option at first is to talk to her about your feelings, so she knows you are not just blowing off the assignment b/c it is gross, etc. Remember to remain calm, it is more effective than getting upset, yelling, etc, as she is more likely to take what you say seriously.

You could ask for an alternative assignment, such as the numerous virtual cat dissections that are available online. Off to do this on your own time at home. One such virtual dissection can be found here http://bio.bd.psu.edu/cat/

You may also want to check out if the state you live in has a law that allows you the right to refuse to dissect(if you are in public school). If you are in one of these states then she must provide an alternative.

If talking to your teacher does not work, you need to consider talking to the principal of your school. It may take a week or two(possibly longer), to get an appointment with your schools principal. Make sure you don't wait too long to set up an appointment.

I personally think providing info is great, but a sincere personal approach may work better. Be prepared that this may be an uphill battle.

If the principal does not allow you to opt out of the dissection, it may be time to involve your parents. As much as you may want to handle your own issues, sometimes children are not taken as seriously or listened to the same as adults are. While it is a good idea to start on your own, don't feel as if you have failed if your parents need to become involved.

Answer 18

There are some states where students can opt out of dissection with their parents' permission. I guess you live in a state where that isn't true.

Look at it this way: The animal to be dissected is already dead and preserved in formaldehyde. You will not change that. And you will learn some amazing things by doing what is admittedly a bit yucky work - not only about the cat you are dissecting but about yourself (since your organs aren't all that different from a cat's.)

Answer 19

they cannot force you to perform dissection.

Answer 20

Sweetie, you must be in your second year of biology to be dissecting a cat. Why didn't you take another science class? If it helps any the cats come from shelters where they were put to sleep, because no one wanted to adopt them.

Like Maggie above me said if your considering a job in the medical field your going to have to dissect more then just a cat. I've been there done that myself.