Necessary objections
I post much less frequently because my time is tied to other endeavors. However, my latest experiences warrant sharing.
Today I began cadaver dissection at school. I wrote a proposal to identify and tag cranial nerves and also dissect the cervical plexus, aka the back of the neck. The school has two cadavers, one male and one female. The school needs students who are willing to dissect the cadavers as special projects (I'm doing it for honors credit) so that future students can look at our work to aid their study. Working on the cadaver has been initially very freaky but I'm sure I'll get used to it. It is a great project for me because I see the structures in the human body and it should assure a great grade in the class. I hope I come to enjoy it more than I did today where I just poked around with my probe and tried not to get embalming fluid on my arms. (I do wear a lab coat.)
Cat dissection begins shortly in lab and I'm preparing to refuse this task. I inquired with my lab instructor today about precedent on this issue and found only one prior case. The alternative assignment was described to me as "only available for extreme extenuating circumstances and not for the faint-hearted, i.e. not easy." I did not reveal my policy; I'm waiting a few days to do so. Because I'm already working on a human specimen and I'm a very hard worker, I don't doubt my personal success in the class.
The idea that millions of cats are prodded, kicked, killed not by gas but only through injection of formaldehyde not only injures my soul but spurs me to action to expose the industry that commits these crimes. Other students have said to me that they shut down their feelings or voice tacit objections to the dissections but do not go beyond this to stop the process. I understand the problem. They are students that do not want to disturb the professor-student dynamic and they want this class to further their academic career. They don't want to harm that opportunity. I believe it does not need to be harmed but if it is it's only because I can't stand to tuck my feelings and my morality down the drain. I am spiritually called to this conclusion. And I will keep you posted.