Disecting cats in Biology class.

[JenBKR]

Oh I don't think I could have handled a cat. We did starfish, worms, frogs, and one or two other little things if I remember correctly...but I would have lost it had I seen a cat there in front of me.

AP bio, which I didn't take, always did a whale towards the end of the year. I can remember the 'fishy' smell in the science hall for at least a week

[Medusa]

Years ago, I knew a woman who was a lab technician and was taking nursing classes. She told me then, I'd say it was in '82 or '83, that they dissected a cat. She said "Mary, there wasn't a thing wrong w/that cat either. It made me sick to do it".

[Marigold2]

If the cat is being used to improve our lives in health issues and most important if the cat was going to be put down because of an inability to adopt or a terminal illness that is understandable.
Vets have to learn on cats and all manner of creatures, as do Dr's. It is a sad and horrible truth.
As for buying animals to do research on, are these cats already slated to be put down?
I would rather have a surgeron opperate and practice open heart surgery on a hundred cats and dogs before he tries it on my child. Untill we have man made organs and enough spare human parts to practice on this will sadly continue.
Yet I don't think it would be easy for me either, too personal.

[Husky_mom]

I know from other persons they have been doing this to be more accurate or something... and I´ve known rats.. but not cats... how sad indeed... hopefully they were already gone... as i´ve heard soem of these rats go under anaesthesia.. get disected... then stitched... and woken up...

when I was at school.. they did worms and frogs... I say did as I skipped that part.. I just couldn´t.. not even the worm... and not even they were already dead... I just couldn´t...

but I´ve seen an autopsy of a puppy... I still cried.. but I didn´t do it, just watched for an answer.. (not my puppy, from a vet I worked for)

[pomtzu]

Back in the 70's I worked as a lab tech in the biology dept at the Univ of DE. I witnessed cats being used in experiments - what they were doing I don't know and didn't ask - but they had electrodes implanted in the top of their heads - and after the "experiments" were complete - the aimals were destroyed. It made me sick!!! - and fortunately I did not work in the division with the people that were conducting these experiments. I just avoided that section of the building like the plague!

[Catlady711]

I could never work in research, take a biology disecting class, or live on a working livestock farm.

Yes at work we do surgery and all manner of gross stuff to animals at work, but the animals are asleep, and what we're doing to them helps them, not destroys them (well save for euthenasia but that's usually a blessing to end horrible suffering). When we're done with an animal it wakes up, and usually feels better either immediately or in a couple days and you can see it's health improve. Somehow that makes what we do easier to deal with.

[ramanth]

My High School biology class ('95) disected cats. I had pet cats and so did my lab partner. We were told the cats died of natural causes and were donated. Whether that was true or not, I can't say.

Only one student opted out. My lab partner and I participated. At the time I was considering becoming a vet, so I found it useful and helpful.

[Daisy and Delilah]

We had to dissect a cat in my college anatomy/physiology class. The cats we used came from Mexico. They were packed in formaldehyde and it was nauseating to tolerate the smell. It was very sad. I could only wonder why the cat ended up there.

I really never thought the dissection of the cat helped me that much with the class either. Why bother subjecting people to it and destroying the life of an innocent cat?

[Catty1]

There are plenty of people who leave their bodies to medical science so that medical students can learn.

When I was in 2nd year university, several of us were invited to see an experiment a friend was doing. This cat had electrodes attached to its head, the eyelids were held open...I must have looked shocked, because my friend told me, "The cat is drugged with curare (sp?). He doesn't feel anything."

I'd had a crush on him....not after that!

This was in the 70's. I know Obama has a lot of really important and vital work to do, huge issues to deal with - but I hope he can inspire and instil a respect for ALL life in all people.

From Black Friday to dissecting cats - and cruelty to animals and children...I hope and pray for a sea change.