Much of my memories of high school are hazy at best, but one high school
experience that still remains vivid in my memory is the trauma of dissecting
frogs in biology lab. At the time I remember asking my lab teacher why we
couldn’t just use computer software instead of wastefully killing real
amphibians.
experience that still remains vivid in my memory is the trauma of dissecting
frogs in biology lab. At the time I remember asking my lab teacher why we
couldn’t just use computer software instead of wastefully killing real
amphibians.
Ok, many people will argue that it’s not a waste because it’s done in the
name of science and education. However, I didn’t see how it was necessary for a
class of 14 year old kids to each have their own dead frog to dissect. Pre-Med
Students? Yes, there is a justifiable need there… but the slaughter of
thousands of frogs each year for a lab class in high school – that just seems
like such an unnecessary waste, not to mention damage to our ecosystem.
name of science and education. However, I didn’t see how it was necessary for a
class of 14 year old kids to each have their own dead frog to dissect. Pre-Med
Students? Yes, there is a justifiable need there… but the slaughter of
thousands of frogs each year for a lab class in high school – that just seems
like such an unnecessary waste, not to mention damage to our ecosystem.
Anyway, back then my teacher replied that there weren’t any software
programs that were capable enough to simulate a realistic frog.
programs that were capable enough to simulate a realistic frog.
However, nowadays, thanks to a company called Froguts, the days of
dissecting frogs in labs might be numbered. Schools subscribing to Froguts receive CDs that
guide students through virtual dissections of animals that used to smell up
biology lab: frogs, fetal pigs, squid and others. And the materials can even be
taken home to study. Also, the annual fee for the software is an affordable $300
USD, which leaves lab teachers no excuses anymore. (Source: Cnet)
