Vivisection

Etymologically, vivisection refers to the dissection or, more generally, any cutting or surgery upon a living animal, typically for the purpose of physiological or pathological scientific investigation.

Related Topics:
Dissection - Surgery - Physiological - Pathological

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Some dictionaries and encyclopedias use the term "vivisection" to refer to any kind of harmful animal experiment, whether it entails surgery or not. "Vivisection" has thus become an emotive term (Croce 1991). It is claimed that animal rights advocates attempt to use the word "vivisection" to recast the terms of the discourse on animal research to favor their position. The term has been applied broadly to any type of experimentation in which animals (including humans) are injured, with or without cutting or surgery (see animal testing for information on other forms of animal experimentation). Supporters of animal research and testing respond that animal experimentation does not require the invasive procedures suggested by the word "vivisection".

Related Topics:
Animal rights - Experiment - Animal testing

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