RAT DISSECTION ALTERNATIVES IN MALAYSIAN BIOLOGY EDUCATION: A NEED ANALYSIS

Abstract

In rat dissection, students are found to be weak and unable to identify anatomical organs and draw and label them effectively in visual literacy. Since rat dissection is part of the Malaysian standardised curriculum, it must be preferred due to manipulative skill/dexterity acquisition. However, the problems in rat dissection persist. Many studies have suggested alternatives to replace hands-on rat dissection, aligning with humane education 3Rs principles (replacement, reduction, and refinement). Hence, there is a need to use animal-free alternatives as they allow the achievement of the learning objectives more effectively and have several advantages over animal use. Thus, this need analysis study researches the need for alternatives in sixth-form dissection practicals based on students’ and teachers’ perspectives. The survey involved 162 sixth-form students in the 2025/2026 batch and 86 teachers. The questionnaires have good validity and acceptable reliability. Both students and teachers agreed that rat dissection would increase one’s scientific manipulative skills. However, they knew their right not to perform dissection. Moreover, both students and teachers also agreed that rat dissection is unethical. These findings from the needs analysis study proved that, although they are proponents of rat dissections, they know the ethical issues that revolve around it and can opt out of them. More than 50% of the respondents, students, and teachers, say they will opt for the alternatives. Lastly, students and teachers strongly agreed that the 3D paper model and mobile application (second choice) are their preferred choices for solving anatomical organ identification and enhancing drawing and labelling skills. They also strongly agreed that sustainability has to be the key feature for alternatives to be effective. These results indicate that the alternatives for rat dissection are needed and necessary to either complement or replace rat dissection.