Whereas the lecture component of courses in the biological sciences often focuses on the factual and theoretical aspects of the discipline, the laboratory setting, including dissection, provides the working knowledge needed to succeed in the discipline. Dissection can enhance a life-long appreciation of living things . When approached with the appropriate perspective of reverence and respect for life, dissection offers an opportunity to observe first-hand the wonders of living organisms that no other exercise can provide. Dissection addresses the need for a multiple intelligence classroom experience . Use of dissection allows those students with bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and naturalist intelligence to work in their prefered intelligence while helping to develop this intelligence in other students.
Dissection is supported or encouraged by several professional organizations .
The National Association of Biology Teachers, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, and the Physiology Society all support the use of dissection as a valuable and vital learning tool. Dissection teaches skills important in the Allied Health occupations . Through dissection, the students learn to observe and apply knowledge. The student learns how to work with sharp and delicate instruments and follow safety rules. It is also often the first real experience in the use of Universal Precautions that will be used throughout the students career in the Allied Health field.