<p>I will start by saying I was a biochem major in college and teach HS biology. But I threw up at least once during every single dissection we did in high school. I didn’t realize until I did a LIVE dissection in college (anesthetized rat) that the problem was the damn chemicals used in preservation. I found that out when I threw up in chemistry lab. (Note the part where it says I was a biochem major. I really really wanted to be there. I love that stuff.) I also had allergic reactions to several solvents (once I ran screaming down the hall to the shower, stripping as I went, much to the amusement of the men in the class). Ether solvents made me woozy.</p>
<p>As a teacher, we had a student a few years back who had an allergic reaction to ethanol; another to butyric acid.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>Your D may or may not get over it, but don’t assume that it’s just an emotional problem.</p>
<p>I will be honest, I can not eat any meat if it is still on the bone (and I cannot eat any beef or lamb product). If I am served chicken and it is still on the bone, I will quietly remove the bulk of the meat off of it, and put the bone(s) on a different plate before I will eat. If I’m in a restaurant, I will ask the waiter to please have the chef remove all the bones for me. I don’t make a production of it. I don’t understand the eating of ribs (on a bone) or “hot wings” (again, on a bone). I am grateful for boneless, skinless chicken at the market. And at my fish market I make new friends by passing the bones from my newly deboned halibut to another shopper (I have no qualms about asking others there if they use the bones for stock; I don’t wish to waste them). </p>
<p>Seems normal to me. I probably would have passed out too.</p>
<p>Personally on the discussion of bones or joints…my favorite is the leg on lamb all roasted up rare and redolent of garlic and rosemary. I cannot wait to have a home cooked meal.</p>
<p>Second favorite: Aji fresh at sushi bar…seeing is knowing how fresh it is. </p>
<p>Americans are way too removed from markets and agriculture. Too many slick vac pacs.<br>
I am not saying you need to eat what I eat I am just saying it is what it is. Fish either comes on a skelaton of bones or in a shell.</p>
<p>There are plenty of careers in science that don’t require dissection, ever…</p>
<p>I personally have never dissected anything biological in nature and never will. Heck, I haven’t taken biology since the 10th grade (got a B- at that) and am still in a top PhD program geology!</p>
<p>If this is a continuing concern, have her look into the earth and physical sciences. You can go your whole career in these scientific fields with no dissections! :D</p>
<p>I didn’t go to “Bodies the exhibition” as fascinated as I am wiht the human body- because of a feeling that those individuals did not donate their bodies voluntarily.</p>
<p>HOwever- I have done massage & I feel a great reverence for the human body when I do so & I feel the same about those who have donated their bodies to be used for education</p>
<p>I have been a vegetarian- although I am not now, but I am always thinking about how the animal lived & died- and for myself, if I found that I was unable to eat meat because I couldn’t bear the thought that it had once had a face- I would stop.
There are so many alternatives for food choice, that if we really can’t face preparing it ourselves, I don’t think we should be eating it.</p>
<p>DMD my younger daughter also has strong reaction to chemicals-
unfortunately, she has little sense of smell, still photography ( which she loves) often gives her a migraine.</p>
<p>Never done a live dissection though- ick
do they still do those?</p>
<p>I imagine we know more about the neurosystems now- I remember when my oldest was born 25 years ago, and she needed surgery and having to wait for the anesthesiologist for the high risk patients, and being very scared because the surgery was delayed. However the nurses told me, that at the same time, a few hospitals didn’t even recognize that pre term babies had developed neuro systems to need anesthesia-!</p>
<p>But I do agree that even if she can’t get over her nausea with dissection, it doesn’t mean that her career as a scientist is nipped in the bud</p>
<p>Not only geology but physics- astronomy- oceanography…</p>
<p>I love animals, but I don’t revere them. Something having a face isn’t an issue for me. (I hate insects. And snakes.) I hate the cruel practices of many/most meat producers. In fact, I’m a little afraid of those who are hardened about killing animals, be it ranchers or hunters. But I have no problem with the idea of animals as food. Unless I watch Bambi. Or Babe. Or Charlotte’s Web. :)</p>
<p>As far as being alive, I’m just as apt to feel sorry for that poor cauliflower who’s life was cut short! And my Christmas tree. But I realize they have fulfilled their purpose, and that’s a good thing.</p>
<p>I’m not that crazy about eating meat just because I don’t like it. (Love bacon, though!) But my eating habits are very emotional – my kids know not to talk about what anything on my plate “used to be” - or I’ll leave the table. Even eggs! Or milk. So I have trouble with meat that still looks like the original animal – fish, for example.</p>
<p>And no talk about topics involving the bathroom, or bugs or insects, or illnesses … I found a tiny worm on a salad of home-grown greens a friend served me, and could not for the life of me finish that salad, despite the fact that I have no warm fuzzy feelings about worms, face or not.</p>
<p>Due to my nurses’ training, I am often the person others come to for help with squeamish situations. I suspect my H is uncomfortable in these situations, but he can hide behind the fact of my training. It doesn’t bother me at all, although the first few times were tough. So it is possible to get sensitized. I do have trouble with smells, though. Even if your D gets past the idea of the dissection, I’ll bet that every time she smells something that reminds her of it (even if it was only the cleaning product the janitor happened to use in the room), she’ll feel sick.</p>
<p>Oh emeraldkity4, my D & I DID see the Bodies…The Exhibition last spring in Philadelphia! You have no worries…on display are the release forms showing proof positive these bodies were willingly and knowingly donated. In addition there are forms available at the exhibits for folks who are inspired to follow suit. The exhibit was amazing and fascinating. I thought I’d be horrified. Amazingly I wasn’t, I was more fascinated than anything. In fact we went with my uncle who is a physical therapist and he provided even more information for us, as well there were written details on every piece.</p>
<p>Go if you ever have the chance. There’s 3 more days in Seattle, if you can get tickets.</p>
<p>Northstarmom, THANKS so MUCH for the info on Neurocardiogenic Syncope. Great link! I was diagnosed at age 32, after having had symptoms for 25 years. I was tested for epiiepsy (negative) and always wondered why I fainted so much. I agree that Biohelpmom’s D could have it. But one question I would ask is “has she fainted a few times over the years?” I probably fainted 15 times before being diagnosed. My blood pressure would go seriously low. The link you sent is wonderful. Today I’ve learned so much.</p>
<p>Thanks Northstarmom, for giving me a name to what is wrong with us! My son and I have both been known to faint from squeamishness or certain stressful situations and I found out last year that my nephew has too. I can hardly stuff a turkey and can’t imagine disecting anything. At age (almost) 50, I’m just starting to feel okay with deboning a cooked chicken!</p>
<p>corranged, better be quick, the exhibit is leaving this weekend! </p>
<p>I can’t recommend the Bodyworlds and other similar exhibits highly enough. I felt that it was good preparation for my first experience of cadaver dissection, as well as being so tasteful and awe-inspiring.</p>
<p>(I’ve always been a little squeamish about dissections, probably mostly due to the chemicals, but I strongly agree with those who suggested to take over and do the actual work if possible…although that could just be the control freak in me talking…)</p>
<p>Biohelpmom - just a couple of hints here - one thing to make sure of is that your gal has a good breakfast on those days - with a good fluid intake as well. (the calming tea may help as well - tho will most likely be a psychological cue too). Some of that shakyness could well be from her blood sugar being a little on the low side - especially after an event as you described.</p>
<p>Another thing - maybe talk to the teacher about having an amonia snap nearby - just in case - good for that light headed feeling just before one faints and can prevent a faint as well. Vicks also works wonders - some folks just associate an odor with something unpleasant and wham - down they go.</p>
<p>Another good idea is peppermint candy/gum - that can also help</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for all of your great advice. Saw the pediatrician this afternoon, who was PERFECT with her. Thank God for good doctors! Ruled out any physical problem, gave lots of practical coping strategies, and had lots of good ideas for follow up care if needed. Apparently the last two days she has been able to look at the thing, but not touch it, and is successfully negotiating with her lab partner over the division of labor. A big relief after a traumatic week.</p>
<p>Sounds like she should explore other subjects, like art, music, English, or even the social sciences. Not everyone has to work in the medical or biological fields. How about pure math?</p>
<p>If she wants to study bio, she’ll have to do dissections in some lab courses. That said, tell her that many people who go into bio and biomedical areas have trouble the first time they have to do similar lab exercises (I did when I was in college, and I’m med school faculty today). It gets easier, it really does.
Good luck to her!</p>