Vivisection
Vivisection derives from the Latin terms vivus meaning "alive", and sectio which translates to "cutting". In its broadest sense, vivisection refers to any surgical or experimental procedure performed on a living organism, typically animals[1]. It is frequently associated with, and occasionally used synonymously for, animal testing in general[2].
Controversies and Ethics[edit | edit source]
The term 'vivisection' is often employed by groups or individuals advocating against animal experimentation due to its perceived ethical implications[3]. Such entities argue that vivisection is inhumane and unnecessary, promoting alternative methodologies for scientific inquiry that do not involve harming living creatures.
Historical Perspective[edit | edit source]
The history of vivisection is closely tied with the evolution of scientific medicine. In its early stages, vivisection was employed to understand anatomical structures and physiological processes, contributing significantly to advancements in biology and medicine. Despite its invaluable contributions, the ethical considerations surrounding the practice have spurred rigorous debate throughout history.
Current Practices and Regulations[edit | edit source]
In modern times, the practice of vivisection is tightly regulated in many jurisdictions. While it remains a fundamental part of biological and medical research, there are strict ethical guidelines and legal frameworks aimed at minimizing animal suffering and ensuring the practice is only employed where necessary and without viable alternatives. These regulatory frameworks often require that researchers seek alternatives to animal experimentation and ensure that any animal use is scientifically justified and humane.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Vivisection", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2009: "Vivisection: operation on a living animal for experimental rather than healing purposes; more broadly, all experimentation on live animals."
- ↑ Tansey, E.M. Review of Vivisection in Historical Perspective by Nicholaas A. Rupke, book reviews, National Center for Biotechnology Information, p. 226.
- ↑ Yarri, Donna. The Ethics of Animal Experimentation: A Critical Analysis and Constructive Christian Proposal, Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 163.
More reading[edit | edit source]
- Yarri, Donna. The Ethics of Animal Experimentation, Oxford University Press U.S., 2005
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD