Synfrog are synthetic frogs produced by SynDaver Labs. SynDaver Labs is a medical simulation manufacturing company that designs and builds experimentally-validated synthetic human tissues, body parts and human bodies for medical education. The company expanded its horizons to other species such as frogs. These frogs were made with the purpose to be dissected in science classes. These synthetic models are fascinating for their life-like shapes and attributes. Unlike real subjects, these synthetic figures retain their color and placement after being opened. 

After an interview with Adams’ science teacher Matthew McQueen, I learned more about Synfrogs. McQueen’s opportunity to test out the program spread the use of Synfrogs to other schools within the community.. McQueen admires how alike these models are to the real thing, claiming, “my students enjoy not having to deal with the smell. The colors of the intestines staying the same makes it easier for students to dissect and tell the insides apart.”  Not only is the examination “more enjoyable” for classes, but so is the returnal process. “You put all the insides back in the frog, seal them in a bag, and send them back,” McQueen stated. He believes that synthetic animal models will be the future of animal dissection in school.

Synfrogs are backed by PETA for its aid in frog conservation. As said on the PETA2 website, over 3 million frogs are killed each year due to classroom frog dissections. As said on WCBD, “ if schools agree to stop using real frogs altogether, PETA has agreed to donate more models to the school.” Overall Synfrogs and SynDaver are said to be a great investment in the future of school science classes.