Vivisected

To vivisect means to perform a surgical operation on a living animal for experimental purposes, typically involving dissection or other invasive procedures. It is often associated with medical or scientific research, aiming to understand physiological processes, test new treatments, or advance medical knowledge. The practice is often controversial, raising ethical concerns about animal welfare and the infliction of pain. The term highlights the direct observation of living tissues and systems. Today, ethical considerations often require stringent regulations and attempts to reduce or replace vivisection with alternative methods.

Vivisected meaning with examples

• Scientists vivisected the rat, meticulously studying its internal organs to observe the effects of the experimental drug on its cardiovascular system. The meticulous dissection provided crucial data, aiding in understanding the drug's efficacy. This invasive procedure was a critical component of their research, even as they were aware of the ethical responsibilities. Detailed notes were recorded throughout, and their findings were hoped to revolutionise treatments.
• Due to an ethical pushback, the laboratory faced criticism for vivisecting a significant number of primates to investigate the neurological impacts of a disease. Protesters gathered outside, demanding an end to the practice, citing unnecessary suffering. Critics highlighted the availability of in vitro alternatives, challenging the necessity of such actions, raising questions around animal testing procedures, as alternative methods become available.
• The researcher decided to vivisect a frog to demonstrate the principles of muscle function to her students. The demonstration showed muscle contractions. It was done so carefully to limit the frog's suffering. The operation was conducted under anaesthesia, to give a better grasp of the impact to the human body, a point which highlighted the medical applications. They were keen to point out all the best practices
• Despite the development of advanced imaging techniques, some researchers still vivisected animals to examine cellular level changes in real-time. They defended the practice by arguing that it provided insights that could not be obtained through other means. This often sparked heated debates with animal rights advocates who pushed the boundaries of acceptable scientific testing. The debate was on the justification of vivisection.
• In a historical context, the discovery of human anatomy was initially advanced through vivisection. This led to the dissection of animal specimens to gain insight into their respective organs. Often, scientists would go on to human vivisection. This led to significant ethical debates about the balance between medical progress and the moral responsibility to prevent cruelty, even though it paved the way for the treatment of disease.