Mumbai University seeks to reverse dissection ban

MUMBAI: Zoologists from Mumbai University are planning to meet the chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) with an appeal against its directive on the ‘complete’ ban on animal dissection. The university and its affiliated colleges, which anyway do not dissect any animal except some widely available fish, want at least that to be allowed for academic purpose. Taking cognizance of the UGC order, the university’s new FYBSc syllabus, which will be implemented from next year, has completely removed the topic on dissection.
While professors are in agreement with the UGC’s directive to reduce the load of dissection and to discontinue practices that amount to cruelty on animals, they believe that dissection of edible fishes or pests should be allowed for teaching the subject. “The essence of teaching zoology will be lost if dissection is completely removed from the syllabus. I believe that edible fishes like table-fish or cuttlefish, which is commonly available, could be used for demonstration. Pests like cockroaches could also be used,” said the university’s chairman of board of studies for zoology, Vinayak Dalvie, from Mithibai College.
Dalvie said he plans to call the chairmen of board of studies for zoology from all universities across Maharashtra for a conference. “Our plan is to collectively approach the UGC to suggest them alternatives to endangered species. We will also arrive at a consensus on the type of animals that can be used for dissection in the interest of the subject, without disturbing the ecology,” he said.
Anil Singh, convener of the board responsible for curriculum revision for FYBSc, said, “Taking cognizance of the UGC’s last circular, we have stressed more on biodiversity and conservation in the new curriculum. Topics on dissection of earthworms have been removed from the first year syllabus now and it will be removed from the subsequent years, too.” He added that the board is also contemplating the use of information and communication technology to teach dissection virtually.
While college teachers use fishes for demonstration, in endocrinology, PG students use rats. But the mammal is only anaesthetized, operative techniques are used, then they are sewed back and let off. School boards have stopped dissection some time ago. “Students dissect only flowers. Not introducing them to the process is a problem for those who want to pursue medical sciences,” said Sudhir Patankar, teacher of biology at Kirti College, Dadar.