UoP to pass fiat on animal dissection

The aim is to replace dissection of animals for class work in a phased manner with the acquisition of appropriate technology and the development of human resources.

Acting on the circular,UoP assistant registrar A N Lokhande has sent a letter to the zoology department regarding implementation of the UGC directives. “These guidelines are binding on us. Colleges will have to implement them,” he said.

Head of the department,Saroj Ghaskadbi said,“Every educational institute needs to have an Institutional Animal Ethical Committee that monitors the research being carried out. Our committee is in place and we are holding meetings to discuss the implementation of guidelines. We will follow the decision of the committee.”

The department uses animals like frogs,earthworms and cockroaches for dissection. “There is an ongoing debate about the guidelines. According to many,practical knowledge by students cannot be gained by demonstrations. In the meetings,we will decide if we want to completely discontinue with the practice or limit it,” added Ghaskadbi.

Head of animal science division,Agharkar Research Institute (ARI),Surendra Ghaskadbi,who spoke on the topic at the recent science congress,said,“As academicians,I feel it might be possible to understand the anatomy of animals by demonstrations,but understanding the physiology is difficult. The UGC guidelines have come as a shock for many and there is bound to be a big debate across the country. I feel there is a need to restrict usage instead of stopping it completely.”