Why do we dissect?

 The NABT has a position statement about dissections in class.  But, when you teach, every decision is personal.  Yesterday, when we dissected the fetal pig (and a kidney), Charlie, one of my students, stayed home.  All year, we’ve done dissections around him.  He has profound  learning differences and only lasts about an hour in class.  We do the dissections after he leaves.  Last year, Charlie did synthetic dissections with my husband, Rob.  He just can’t cut up specimens.  (Yesterday, my husband, Rob, wouldn’t come down into the basement until everything was cleaned up.  He loathes dissections.) The rest of the class copes.  Why dissect?

First, every organism is unique.  We use several manuals, diagrams, graphics, etc when we dissect.  Why?  Each specimen looks just a little different from the diagram.  Labeling a diagram on paper and identifying the organs in a fetal pig are different experiences.  It can be hard to find a tiny, green sac (gall bladder) lying under the liver.  You see first hand how the stomach, small, and large intestines are continuous.  

Sure, why not wait until college to dissect?  You could.  Yesterday, when we dissected the fetal pig, we didn’t invest hours and hours doing a thorough job.  Here are instructions.  We did a survey of the exterior and interior without an in depth study of the muscles or circulatory system.  (In college, I took home my pig to study it!) 

I think the main reason we dissect is that I’m a traditionalist.  Advanced Biology is an anatomy course.  Anatomy traditionally includes dissection.   I want the kiddos to study each organ and open it up.  I talked about the membrane holding organs together;  I want them to see it.  I want the teens to have a full experience in anatomy.  They should do a dissection before enrolling in any health science class; it can help them decide.  It’s a good time to find out whether or not you’re actually too squeamish for a career in medicine, as a doctor or nurse. 

My friend, Cindy, was a strong advocate for dissections.  Do you want a surgeon operating on you without having dissected a cadaver?  I agree.  However, I am a realist.  After all, I made accommodations for Charlie, didn’t I?  I never force a student to dissect.  Max, who also loathes dissections, came to class as a plague doctor yesterday.  He wears, gloves, mask, apron, and safety glasses for his own protection—like the others.  He doesn’t actually touch any specimen.  Max just observes; he’s simply more comfortable with an extra layer of protection, should a drop of formalin get on the table top.  I pair him up with Jacob, who does all the cutting.    

Lastly, it’s becoming radical to dissect.  More and more schools make it optional or use virtual dissections.  I like to push back and think for myself.  No, I won’t force anyone to dissect.  However, one time a student refused to take my Biology class at Co-op because we did dissections.  She had the option to do virtual or synthetic dissections.  The student felt that morally my class was abhorrent.  So be it.  She didn’t enroll and we did do dissections.