I am taking online A&P II at a community college. The course includes a lab component, though lab is not a requirement for the nursing program to which I have been admitted. I am not squeamish (used to be an EMT), nor do I oppose human cadaver dissection. I do, however, object to animal dissection for ethical reasons. I contacted my professor to request an alternative to the cow eye and heart dissection activities citing my ethical objection to animal dissection, and the fact that I haven't eaten or worn animals for over two decades. I expressed my willingness to engage in an alternate activity, such as an interactive, multimedia software program (we already utilize such software to conduct experiments on virtual lab animals). My request was denied. I was informed that if I chose not to do the dissections, I would be penalized with a deduction in points.
In response to my e-mail asking my professor to reconsider, I received the following reply (excerpt):
Would you tell someone who is badly mangled in a auto accident and bleeding to death that you cannot work on them because you are a vegetarian? I would hope not. If so, then you should choose another career.
My professor also called my ethical opposition to animal dissection into question with the following statement:
I understand being a vegetarian but this assignment does not require you to eat these animal specimens.
I found his message to be inappropriate, offensive, and ridiculous. I would like to obtain some outside perspective and would appreciate any comments you may have about this situation. Thanks.
I don't know about you but I in A&P would have rather worked with a human cadaver if it was possible rather than cats and sheeps. Not because I am much of an animalist but since it is human anatomy then lets learn it properly. Let me ask a question to the person that doesn't like dissections; would you be confident to be operated by a surgeon that practiced only on multimedial models because s/he didn't like to do it on human cadavers?
Dissection is probably the best skill I have learned in the prereqs and I believe is crucial in the nursing career.
I don't know about you but I in A&P would have rather worked with a human cadaver if it was possible rather than cats and sheeps. Not because I am much of an animalist but since it is human anatomy then lets learn it properly. Let me ask a question to the person that doesn't like dissections; would you be confident to be operated by a surgeon that practiced only on multimedial models because s/he didn't like to do it on human cadavers?
Dissection is probably the best skill I have learned in the prereqs and I believe is crucial in the nursing career.
The OP would prefer to dissect a human cadaver, but the class they were registered for had animal dissection instead.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I think this thread has turned into really lame comparisons that are meaningless and snarkiness for anyone that doesn't agree with someone else's views.
I think this thread has turned into really lame comparisons that are meaningless and snarkiness for anyone that doesn't agree with someone else's views.
A waste of time, but occasionally amusing.
Yes Ma'am. It certainly has.
I'd really love to hear if Sara was ever able to rectify the situation. Or how she's dealing with doing something that goes against her ethics.
I think this thread has turned into really lame comparisons that are meaningless and snarkiness for anyone that doesn't agree with someone else's views.
A waste of time, but occasionally amusing.
Haha, I had to stop replying. I've still been reading, and glad I got out of the thread when I did. :) I did have some good conversations with some people here and in real life about this, so I'm glad the OP posted. And I have begun to realize more that my sensitivity and "thin skin" has the potential to be a real obstacle in my nursing career. While I don't want to lose it entirely and feel that it is an important part of who I am, I do see the benefit in being able to separate myself from my emotions sometimes and deal with people and situations in a more logical and practical manner. I'm glad some people pointed that out in this thread, even if they were in the midst of telling me I was wrong/stupid/whatever. So for me, not entirely worthless.
And I do wish the best for the OP, that he/she can find a course that is a better fit for him or her, and all the best in nursing school and future career.
Well, to the OP, since the animal is dead regardless of the attitude. You might as well use it. One other thing maybe, was to ask for just observing the animal instead of a straight on dissection, go with someone who will dissect while you observe?
Someone made a good point about the possibility if abortion showed up as ethically immoral to the nurse, could you refuse treatment.
This thread is a form of animal cruelty as this Dead horse has been kicked, beaten, dragged through the mud, folded, spindled and mutilated. Only thing left is the glue factory.
This abortion thing is really reaching. Its not a good point as pointed out previously.
She's not being asked to treat the cat, she's being asked to dissect it so I'm not following why people keep bringing up treating a patient who had an abortion as a fair comparison.
Her having issues with dissecting the cat should not call into question whether or not she would be neglectful in her duties as a nurse.
This thread is a form of animal cruelty as this Dead horse has been kicked, beaten, dragged through the mud, folded, spindled and mutilated. Only thing left is the glue factory.
I totally empathize with OP's choices, and totally respect her position. I love animals! My 16 year old is dissecting a cat this week in A&P. Our cat died in July. I mean no disrespect to her, however...
The professor never said anything about whether or not she would make a good nurse. He simply pointed out the ridiculousness of her request. He made an excellent point. That she is not being asked to eat the animal. How is that inappropriate?
She can't cherry pick her course content and requirements, because, guess what, she can't cherry pick patient assignments.
It's just another opinion that, if she is this easily offended by the professor's response, which was only his opinion, she's going to be offended a lot by doctors, patients, family members, etc., constantly.
I ran this scenario by my old A&P professor. He said "oh, please. I am ethically against doing anything that might hurt and traumatize a child but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to give them a shot if they need it. Sometimes as adults, we have to do things that we might not like. This is one of those instances where you just need to suck it up or consider a different major." His words, not mine. He also said that in all his years teaching A&P with cat dissections, he's never had anyone refuse to do it.
My professor was sensitive to the subject, we did dissections in groups, if you did not want to do it, then you could take notes of what the rest of your group was doing and answer AP questions reg the animal body part being dissected.
It really is up to the professor to make it all comfortable for the students. It does not take that much creativity to get around the subject.
But, if you refuse to learn about animal parts and you come to the scene of a accident where a dog was involved in the crash, don't you want to knowledgeable about the poor pooch's anatomy too?? Also, are you opposed to human dissection as well? I was extremely bummed out when I found out we would only work with animals... I was dying to get my hand on a human organ... I was fascinated when I tool A&P. Specially with the heart and the brain!! :-D Good luck!!!!
European
107 Posts
I don't know about you but I in A&P would have rather worked with a human cadaver if it was possible rather than cats and sheeps. Not because I am much of an animalist but since it is human anatomy then lets learn it properly. Let me ask a question to the person that doesn't like dissections; would you be confident to be operated by a surgeon that practiced only on multimedial models because s/he didn't like to do it on human cadavers?
Dissection is probably the best skill I have learned in the prereqs and I believe is crucial in the nursing career.