User:CFCF/sandbox/claim

I wish to make a case for the use of collapsible galleries or images on Wikipedia for use in articles of medical nature, especially that of images showing faces, children, excessive blood and death in a life-like photographic fashion - of which images under Anencephaly do (these images have been heavily debated on said articles talk page). This does not apply to journalistic or artistic images which are not in the same way meant to convey raw medical imagery, but instead emotional content in a way that is meaningful to the general public. A summary of arguments for allowing collapsible galleries is: Strictly descriptive medical images are often without value for the general public. The general public may not be capable of understanding the full implication behind such images. A user researching Gluteus maximus is most likely not interested in imagery concerning dissections of the gluteus maximus. A collapsible gallery may prevent the need for a new article Dissection of gluteus maximus. While this clearly applies to many images on Wikipedia, such as a great many images in articles concerning physics and mathematics the following points are not at play in these cases: Pathology is at large considered a field of medicine involving difficult imagery and scenes which the general public may find objectionable in a manner which undermines amassing knowledge in the subject. Even pathologists find certain forms of imagery and certain cases very distressing even after years of practice in normal pathology. For example pediatric pathology is performed at select universities by only certain practitioners because it is considered too emotionally distressing for the average pathologist. The average Wikipedia user can most likely be deemed less hardened by experience than the average pathologist who needs first 5-6 years of medical school, after which at least 5 years of pathological training is undergone. Anatomy is at large considered a science concerning subjects which are hard to access without proper prerequisite knowledge. As opposed to pathology, anatomical subjects are often embalmed and may show signs of rot, mildue and other decaying apart from normal pathological findings. Anatomical subjects are also due to embalming discolored which may make them with less obvious value in explaining the subject than the much more prolific drawn images. Muscles are not always shown in the same detail as most images. Again collapsible galleries would allow these images without the need of a new article solely on dissections. Dissections for medical students are normally preceded by ethical discussion as well as the availability of counseling. This is not readily available for a curious Wikipedia user stumbling far into unknown terrain. Otherwise objectionable content may be very useful for a medical professional, not so much so for non-professionals. Dissection images do not by large give any meaningful help on anatomical articles for understanding of the subject matter. A large argument for dissections is normally the 3D advantage they give, this is absent in images. They may on the other hand give meaningful content to the medical professional or the anatomist who consults the article. It may be very difficult to find images on Wikimedia commons in the same way that they can be presented under a closed collapsible gallery of images. There is a very clear distinction of what is an image with sole purpose of conveying medical knowledge and what is not. Guidelines proposed can dismantle the slippery slope argument and may be: Broad and clear as to cover many cases so as to offer large room to display images without a collapsible gallery but still allowing for the covering of the most gruesome images. Examples of guidelines, of which several or all may need to be fulfilled can be:
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These are merely proposed criteria
 * The image is not deemed to have artistic or journalistic value - as such is only of value showing a medical concept.
 * The image is not deemed to be relevant to a non-professional member of the general public.
 * The image contains deformed or damaged faces or other recognizable normally visible body parts, children and excessive blood or dead individuals.
 * The image is a photograph.
 * Non-photographic images are unable to convey the subject matter in a manner sufficient for the general public.

These guidelines quite clearly discount images not normally seen as very objectionable such as those of the Heart. Wikipedia’s aim to be a source of knowledge is furthered by the possibility of articles containing imagery which may be of utmost relevance but may still be objectionable as per WP:NOTCENSORED "Shock value: Some images of medical conditions or procedures disturb some readers, e.g., because of visible deformities or the presence of blood. Potentially disturbing images should be not be used for their shock value, for decoration, or merely to add an image. A detailed caption that identifies specific features may simultaneously increase the educational value of the image and reduce the likelihood of disturbing readers. Placement in a highly relevant section, rather than in the introduction, is also likely to reduce the shock value to readers. Wikipedia:Offensive material offers additional advice." This allows for a broader availability of these images by not tempting the average user to remove them from articles instead of moving them to an appropriate section. The suggestion addresses the apparent issue of Help:Options to hide an image, where the user is asked to have access to the knowledge of how to hide images before using Wikipedia. This suggestion would simplify new users getting to grips with medical articles on Wikipedia, and may very well serve to increase contributions to this part of Wikipedia.
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I would like to point out that this suggestion has the goal of increasing the availability of medical images on Wikipedia, and not in making them less available. It would also alleviate the need to make individual dissection articles for every subject. --