I am writing in response to “E.W. schools should stop dissections,” January 8, 2016 and “Dissections a useful teaching tool “January 22, 2016.
As a medical students, we had to dissect several animals.
Looking back, dissection of animals was totally unnecessary.
Although there is a connection between the gross anatomy of humans and animals, no extra knowledge was gained.
For the study of anatomy, there are several ways already mentioned by both authors. Older students can always visit any medical school dissection hall or for a live demonstration, any hospital operating room. This can be worked out though the Board of Education.
There is greater science and knowledge gained by studying the behaviors and the emotions of animals.
These show us that we are all part of one creation and animals are no different from the humans! They feel pain like us, undergo separation anxiety, fear for death etc. just like us!
This incident can be used as an opportunity to test the children who attended the STEAM workshop/event and studied the internal organs of animals, for the knowledge gained.
It should be by proper test with several pertinent questions and not by just show of hands.
Also check on how many of them remember what they saw and with the older students if the knowledge gained would help them in their future professions. No harm in asking about their feelings in sacrificing the life of a helpless animal.
It is time that the schools emphasize on value of the lives of animals, also by interaction with them, the psychological and behavioral impact they have on the humans, especially the young minds.
Small lives should not be used for us to gain knowledge, experiment on for safety of cosmetics, medications, lavish life styles and amusements!
Violence bigets violence.
Our societal violence and mental disorders can be brought under control by being compassionate towards animals and by interacting with them. This should begin at schools.
Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Dr. Sharada Jayagopal
East Williston
