De Villiers, Johannes Jozua RianMonk, Martin2009-06-172009-06-172005De Villiers, R & Monk, M 2005, 'The first cut is the deepest : reflections on the state of animal dissection in biology education', Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 583–600. [http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/00220272.asp]0022-0272http://hdl.handle.net/2263/10464In biology education, the study of structure has traditionally involved the use of dissection. Animal-rights campaigners have caused biology educators and learners to question the necessity of dissections. This study reviews the research evidence for the efficacy of alternatives to dissection and then turns to research evidence on attitudes to dissection. It suggests that the place, practice, and purpose of dissection in biology education can act as an indicator of the state of society in which those practices are embedded. The current situation in South Africa is reviewed to illustrate how social factors outside the laboratory influence pedagogic practice.enTaylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in the Journal of Curriculum Studies,37:5,583-600. The Journal of Curriculum Studies is available online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/00220272.aspAnatomyBiologyDissectionLaboratory animalsLaboratory proceduresScience instructionBiology -- Study and teachingPostprint Article