Letter: Dissection is outmoded teaching tool

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002 | 8:39 a.m.

These days, there's just no excuse to kill animals for dissection. As studies have clearly documented, students learn at least as well with plastic models and CD-ROMs as with animal dissections. Other studies have shown many children find dissection troubling.

While few voice their objections as openly and articulately as sixth-grader Laurie Wolff did in the Sun's Dec. 21 story, "Student leads drive against dissections," compassionate youngsters nonetheless find the experience upsetting, a circumstance that may dissuade them from promising careers in science or medicine.

Unfortunately, far too many U.S. elementary and high schools cling to outmoded dissection labs, ignoring more modern educational tools. Experts estimate that about 6 million animals are killed each year for dissections. But dissection teaches nothing about anatomy that can't be taught by a computer model or plastic simulator, and it teaches volumes about life being disposable and easily wasted -- a terrible message to convey.

Let's face it: sixth-graders aren't aiming to become doctors for invertebrates. They simply need to learn a few basic anatomical concepts. And the most important lesson to convey is that, when it comes to nature, we should look, but not touch. In switching to dissection alternatives, we support quality biology instruction, and at the same time model respect for living beings. By using these new and improved teaching tools, young people can learn about biology, technology, and respect for life simultaneously, simply by taking advantage of what modern science has made available.

MURRY J. COHEN

Editor's note: The writer is a medical doctor who lives in Annandale, Va.