Anti Dissection?
So, I found out that this year in biology, my class has to dissect rats. The thing is…I can’t do it. I know where the rats come from, how they were killed, etc. It’s not that the dissecting grosses me out, it’s that I know what animal went through, just so we can dissect it.
My Dad and I were at dinner last night, and I brought up the topic of how my grade has to dissect rats this year, and how most people asked me if I was gonna do it. And my Dad said, "Well of course you’re gonna do it!"
The thing is, I really can’t. I seriously think I will get sick if I had to do it. But, how do I get out of it? Do I re talk to my Dad, go straight to my teacher, my principal, write a note? I need any suggestions. I’m willing to anything! An essay, online dissection, bookwork, anything! =/ Thanks!
What about my Dad…I can’t just go to my teacher without him knowing. I’d probably get in trouble…
I am 15 and live in Texas
Tagged with: biology • dad • dissection • rats
Filed under: Biology Courses Online
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I feel the same as you do and there are plenty of options. If you approach your teacher about it in a respectful and mature manner, there should not be a problem.
Do your research of various alternatives and be prepared to give the reasons why you are opposed to dissection. Any reasonable teacher will respect your decision, especially if you show that you have put a lot of thought into it and that you are committed to working hard.
Here is a link to an anti-dissection website to get you started:
http://www.dissectionalternatives.org/
You can speak with the teacher. There are alternatives to this and you cannot be forced to do it.
The school I went to had a research paper option for those with ethical or spiritual reasons why they could not dissect a creature (and that included tape worms – ew). You could talk to your counsellor at school, the biology teacher, and, if all else fails, your principal. Explain that you cannot do it, specific reasons why you cannot do it, and are willing to do anything else – a research paper, exam, etcetera.
Using "I" messages helps when confronting such problems. "I" messages follow a basic format: I feel [feeling] when [problem occurs], and would appreciate if [your resolution]. i.e. I feel horrible and ethically unable to proceed with this when I am told I have to dissect a creature, and I would appreciate if I could do a research paper instead of a dissection.
the obious answer is to explaine to your teacher the problem
my freind alysas mom is really strict she cant watch anything over pg-13. so she did extra credit work on the next unit. shes the smartest in the class and gets extra credit any way (for the stupid comic books she right called plane crash. she crashes into famous monuments.) any way just tell him the real truth if he says no go to the principle if she says no the go to the super indent if they say no there is a simple answer try to do it faint or "purposly " throw up on the teacher and sue saying you tryed to prevent the problem good luck. id bring some pepto bimal that day (just in case)
Speak to the teacher first. Then if they say you need a parent’s note, retalk to you dad. I’m sure if you try to explain it to him, he’ll understad.
Speak first to your teacher. As someone else mentioned, use the word "I", but also say that it is an ethical and spiritual choice for you.
Most places guarantee a right to religious freedom, and most schools don’t want to risk litigious parents who’ll take their school to court over a breach of religious rights.
Explain also that you’re willing to do work elsewhere. My high school was extremely accommodating to me when I asked not to do dissections. You might also want to ask your dad why he feels it’s important, especially when so many schools are either getting rid of dissections or allowing students to do alternate work.
How old are you?
(Also – if you’re in Canada, your right to excuse yourself for spiritual reasons is guaranteed by a number of Supreme Court cases. It doesn’t have to be a religious belief, just spiritual.)
There is only one thing worse than a wannabe vegetarian and that is a vegetarian that lacks common sense and chooses to remain foolish and stupid because he/she is animal rights activist.
I hope your Dad finds out. I’m a true vegan and believe me, given the opportunity to learn . . . any true vegan would offer a prayer and pitch right in dissecting that rat. Knowing that his/her spiritual path would lead him/her to a place where the knowledge they gained would help many living beings.
The people in your district need to start coughing up some money for the school district. Don’t you have computers in your classrooms? They do that stuff on computers in most schools these days.
Talk to your teacher, the principal, your guidance counselor and your Dad some more and encourage your school to get some computers.
I’ve grown up in Texas too! Plenty of times there were dissections while I was growing up and I only actually did it once. Other times, I asked my professor if it would be okay if I partnered with someone else because I really was not comfortable cutting up an animal that had to die just for this stupid reason. There are alternatives to dissection such as computer simulations which are just as educational. Unfortunately, these aren’t very popular at all. Maybe you can try to petition for this if you know you can get support from other students (or at least persuade others).
You cannot be forced to participate in something that goes against your sincerely held ethical or religious beliefs.
See this site for everything you need to know about refusing to dissect:
http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-fight.asp
Good luck!
*Please* speak with your teacher about an alternate assignment. If there are others in your class who feel the same way as you, maybe you can approach the teacher together, or bring a petition. Be polite & to-the-point & make it clear that you’re *not* trying to get out of work, but you’re opposed to dissection & willing to do something else.
There are computer programs that simulate dissection & probably other things you could do instead of this. Slicing into an animal who was killed simply to be a class project is insensitive to the wonder of life, & rats are actually smart, playful & can be very loving (we have 5 as pets). Forcing students to do dissection if they have strong feelings against it seems cruel, and makes light of what can be very strong convictions. Good luck.
It’s none of your dad’s business if you and your teacher work out an equal assignment. You’re getting the same amount of credit doing an alternate assignment. I wrote papers instead of dissecting back in high school.