Frog dissection is a common practice in our schools and
colleges that I believe should be banned now.
Every year, millions of frogs and other animals lose their life just to teach
biology students how to save humanity. Each frog that is cut open and discarded
represents less love for science and more animal abuse, especially today when
there are multiple alternatives available to give practical knowledge of human
anatomy to medical students.
Dissection contributes to the decline of frogs and other amphibian populations
across the world. Considering that, sane voices are often heard in many
countries objecting the use of real, dead, or preserved frogs for dissection
practices.
In America, there is a public charity named ‘Save The Frogs!’ that has been on a
mission since 2008 to protect frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and other
amphibian species around the world. The organization is run by an international
team of naturalists, educators, scientists, and policymakers.
A great development took place last week when a Florida-based school became the
first in the world to use synthetic frogs for dissection. The innovation came
from a Tampa company named ‘SynDaver’ that is famous for its lifelike cadavers
for education and research purposes. Dr. Christopher Sakezles, founder and CEO
of SynDaver says,
"SynFrog not only looks and feels like a real frog, but it's also physically
safer to dissect than a real preserved frog because it doesn't contain
potentially harmful chemicals like formalin,"
It won’t be unjust to say that science students now can get complete knowledge
of human anatomy and biological processes through artificial or non-animal
teaching methods. To my understanding, science labs in schools and colleges with
computer simulations, charts, films, projected presentations, and froglike
models may engage students better than those with frog cadavers and serious
infections.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have suggested multiple
alternates such as The Digital Frog, Anatomy of Clay, Dissection Works, Body
Works, and others that can take frogs off the dissecting tables. Other than
that, books such as 'The Anatomy Coloring Book' and 'The Zoology Coloring Book'
can also play their part in teaching the internal anatomy of both men and
animals to students.
Frog Dissection in Pakistan
The news of the two men arrested with 185kg worth of dead and alive frogs is not
so old. Initially, it was claimed that the frogs were supplied in different
restaurants in Lahore but was later held ‘untrue’ as the frogs were to be
supplied in different medical institutions. Since it’s not a crime to have frogs
with you in Pakistan, the two men were released.
It’s true that the practice of dissecting real frogs is common not just in
Pakistan but throughout the world. But, should we wait until we are the only
country left to use synthetic or artificial frogs for dissection? Why not we
become the second after that Florida school?
It sounds good if students make frogs their best friend and don’t dissect them.
They speak up against the practice and set a campaign to take real frogs off the
table. This will eventually build pressure on institutions to ponder over the
matter. However, it will bring students and teachers face to face, especially
when teachers will force students to attend the dissection practices and the
students are to abandon them.
What if the government takes the initiative and imposes a ban to use real frogs
in dissection practices? What if the ban compels educational and research
institutions in Pakistan to use artificial frogs, virtual dissection, and other
methods suggested above? Upgrading the practices of biological sciences in the
country, it will also be a great contribution to save the endangered member of
amphibians’ family!