Dissection?!
My question is, how can I get out of it? Do I see if my Dad can write a note explaining my beliefs, or do I write a note, or do I just go to my teacher without my Dad, and what if my Dad says no? I know there are alternative dissections online anyways...or other assignments I could do instead.
Answers: So this year, my sophomore high school year, we have to dissect rats, and other classes dissect pigs. The thing is, I really don't want to. It's not because it grosses me out, but it's because I know how they were killed so we could dissect them and I don't support it...just like my reasons for being a vegetarian.
My question is, how can I get out of it? Do I see if my Dad can write a note explaining my beliefs, or do I write a note, or do I just go to my teacher without my Dad, and what if my Dad says no? I know there are alternative dissections online anyways...or other assignments I could do instead.
I would begin by talking to your teacher. Most people are pretty understanding about students not wanting to dissect due to moral reasons. Explain to your teacher that you would rather not dissect and ask if there is an alternative(do not except watching as an alternative).
If your teacher will not allow you to do an alternative, you can ask one of your parents to talk with the teacher, or even the principal(make sure you allow enough time for an appointment to be scheduled, so don't wait until the day before).
If you know there are online alternative, you may suggest that. When I was in high school, we dissected frogs(which I told the teacher I would rather not). I asked if I could virtual dissect at home. During class I was allowed to go to another room and do busy work.
This site may help you talk with the teacher.
http://www.petakids.com/disindex.html
This is a tuffy for me. I wasn't that fond of doing them in my medical classes but I had to. I looked at it like this... I don't want someone working on me in a hospital that hasn't ever done dissections. That's just foolhardy. Also, Is the medical field then only open to meat eaters? I don't want them to be the only option for my care either. So, how are we vegetarians to persue our careers without the proper training and knowledge? That's how I got through it. When they get to you they are already dead and It's just an exception you have to make if you want to learn.
I think this is a very valid point. If it were me, I would speak to my teacher first and try to come up with an alternative assignment. Worst case you could lie and say your religion does not allow it. The school can't make you do it if there is a religious issue.
just go ahead and support your beliefs if you really think its going to be worth all the trouble...but be prepared to go through alot of resistance and crap...good luck :)
You can simply "not do it." You have that freedom. There's no way your high school diploma is going to be withheld simply because you did not participate in the dissection.
speak to your teacher and discuss whether you can participate in the online dissection so you don't have to experience the real thing. ask for a alternative project or maybre do research on the first dissection. could get some extra points.
Regardless of your beliefs, the animal is already dead. Therefore, it's pointless to whine and say you don't believe in killing animals. You might actually learn something and not grow up to be a tree-hugging, cave dwelling primitive. Do you suggest we start experimenting on humans? My suggestion is to suck it up like all your classmates.
PS: The animal is not helpless--it's dead. It might have been helpless before it was killed, but since it's dead, you can't say that it's helpless. LOL, How can you help a dead organism?
By not being involved with the required dissection, you are/would be missing out on a great learning opportunity - dissection was always my favorite part of biology classes.
Hmm.. I suport you for not wanting to dissect a helpless little animal. If you wanted to get out of it heres what you could try.. *talking to your gardian and tell them that you don't feel comfortable about dissecting a animal and ask them if they would like to talk to your teacher or if it would be ok for you to do it yourself. *talk to your teacher..mabey they might agree and ask you to write an essay instead. Perf! You can write an essay on why you didn't want to dissect the poor little thing!
BW?
Last year i had to dissect a shark... And there were few girls who didn't want to touch the dead animals for what ever reason so our teacher had some alternative assignment. i suggest just talking to your teacher
I have never dissected anything and I graduated from high school just fine, and I'm in university now and don't plan on dissecting anything there either.
They will offer you alternatives. They don't have a choice.
Unless you're planning on a career that involves something relevant, there is no need for you to dissect anything.
Good luck!
Next year I have to dissect kittens =[ I refuse to do it though. They said we could do it online instead, and at most schools you can.
Most schools will let you skip it, I think some states in the US have specific legislation that allows you to skip dissection for ethical, religious or moral reasons.
When I had to do dissections last year, I handed in a (forged, but don't tell anyone) note from my parents telling the teacher I'm against dissection for ethical reasons. He said "that's fine" and I sat outside the classroom for the lesson :)
I'm not sure if all schools are like this because our school has a very high vegetarian/vegan population.
But halfway through the dissection, people started coming out of the class looking disgusted and it turned out they wanted to sit out too! LOL
This site has everything you need to know about refusing to dissect: http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-fight....
You cannot be forced to participate in something that goes against your sincerely held ethical or religious beliefs. You do not need a note from a parent... you can simply tell the teacher that dissection goes against your ethical beliefs and you will need an alternative. Good luck.
talk to your teacher, calmly explaining your beliefs, and see if theres an alternative project or extra credit assignment you can do. you could suggest the online dissections. if your teacher doesnt agree, maybe get your father involved.
ouch, thats not good. i was supposed to disect a pigs heart in my 2nd year, but we didnt get a warning. it was just like, we were in lesson as normal and my teacher just got out a huge freeze box. she got a heart out and i was horrified. luckily, i just said to my teacher that i really didnt want to do it and they said i was being stupid at first but then let me leave the room. getting your dad to write a not is a good idea, so see if he will do that. i doubt my mom would have wrote me a note though. theres sure to be at least one teacher at your school that will understand you, and if you ask them to, they will probably explain to your teacher for you. if they force you to take part or refuse to let you out of the room, you should complain to your school, cause thats just wrong.
good luck :]]