Definition
Vivisection refers to surgery conducted on living organisms, typically animals, for experimental or scientific research. It's often performed to study organ function, disease progression, or the effects of drugs. The practice is highly controversial due to ethical concerns about animal welfare and suffering. Think of it as a way to understand the inner workings of a living body. The term usually implies that the procedure involves cutting into or dissecting a living animal. Modern alternatives like computer modeling and cell cultures are increasingly used to reduce reliance on vivisection.