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September 2009 Helping Animals in the New School Year The first day of the new school year is just around the corner! That’s right, students; it’s time to start getting prepared for math problems, English essays, and science…dissections…? Why would a science teacher have her students touch Formaldehyde-doused dead animals to learn about the human body? In reality, dissection is hardly the best teaching method available. Many students find it difficult to concentrate on their lesson when faced with the cold eyes of a dead frog, cat, or fetal pig. Studies have shown that models, Interactive Videodisks, and simulators provide better educational results than animal dissection; and it’s economically advantageous to use these methods because it is a one-time cost rather than the yearly cost of purchasing more dead animals. It’s time our school science classes join the rest of our educational system in the
21st Century! Dissection is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated. Know your rights, students! In some states, you can actually refuse to dissect animals. These laws, called student choice laws, state that students cannot be penalized for choosing an alternative to dissection or any other activity that causes pain or harm to a nonhuman animal. States with some kind of student choice law, policy, or pending legislation include: California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, and Tennessee. If your state is not on this list, contact your legislators and request that they make it a priority to rid our schools of the archaic practice of dissection! # What’s your opinion? Email us at education@nhes.org |
