Students dissecting the synthetic frog. Image: Screengrab from SynDaver’s video “SynDaver Synthetic Frog – SynFrog Dissection B Roll For Media Use” via YouTube/syndaver
No frogs were harmed in the making of a Florida high school’s science class.
J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey began using synthetic frogs for educational dissections last Wednesday. Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning says it is the first school in the world to use the technology.
The lives of real frogs are being spared at a cost of $150 (around P7,600) per synthetic frog. Tampa-based developer SynDaver received funds from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to help create the “SynFrog.”
SynDaver says the fake frogs are made of water, fibers and salts and can be reused. Founder and chief executive officer Dr. Christopher Sakezles says the synthetic frogs are also safer because there are no potentially harmful chemicals.
PETA says 3 million frogs are killed for classroom use each year. RGA
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