SynDaver

High School Ditches Real Frogs And Uses Synthetic Man-Made Frogs For Dissections

One Florida high school is making biology class significantly more humane by dissecting synthetic man-made frogs instead of the real deal, ABC News reported.

Students at J.W. Mitchell in New Port Richey have taken scalpels and sliced into nearly 100 realistic frog substitutes which were developed by the company SynDaver as a "solution to an ethical problem that has plagued educators for decades."

Some three million frogs are killed annually for the purpose of classroom dissection.

Unsplash | Martin Woortman

According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), research has shown that most students are actually uncomfortable with using real animals for dissection and experimentation.

Some studies even suggesting exposing youth to dissection "can foster a callousness toward animals and nature and even dissuade some from pursuing careers in science."

PETA insists students don't need to dissect actual animals to understand basic anatomy and physiology.

Most studies have shown that non-animal comparatives, including virtual dissection software and other methods, have proven "superior" to traditional animal dissection.

SynDaver agrees, and hopes to see their revolutionary imitation animal in classrooms all around the world.

The Tampa-based company specializes in crafting synthetic human and animal models for medical simulation, education and medical device development.

SynDaver

According to a press release, these faux frogs are made using synthetic tissue to mimic the same visual and textural properties of a live female frog.

Each model costs $150 and features complete skeletons, muscles, and "highly realistic" skin and organs, including a reproductive system with eggs.

J.W. Mitchell is the first school in the world to try out the new technology in the classroom.

SynDaver

Rather than slicing into dead, chemically-preserved frogs, students are using the safer and more humane synthetic options.

Plus, as PETA pointed out, the organs of real frogs are "monochromatic and difficult to differentiate" so identifying the various components can turn into a nearly impossible task.

Not to mention, these models are safer for students' health.

SynDaver

The formaldehyde-soaked specimens normally used in clasrooms can actually be dangerous to those who handle them.

"SynFrog not only looks and feels like a real frog, it's physically safer to dissect than a real preserved frog because it doesn't contain potentially harmful chemicals like formalin," SynDaver founder and CEO Dr. Christopher Sakezles said.

SynFrogs are non-toxic, non-latex, and perfectly safe for use in the classroom.

The synthetic tissues are actually made of water, fibers, and salts to mimic the texture of real skin.

In a statement, PETA vice president of international laboratory methods, Shalin Gala, called these frogs a "revolutionary new educational tool."

"We look forward to schools around the world adopting this state-of-the-art technology that will not only save millions of frogs, but is a far more effective and safer teaching tool."

h/t: ABC News, PETA, SynDaver

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