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Media InquiriesDissectionNumbers | History of Dissection | Environmental Consequences | Alternatives to Dissection | Students' Rights | About ESEC
Numbers Approximately 6 million vertebrate animals are killed for high school dissection classes alone every year. History of Dissection The history of dissection in American schools began with the National Space Program in the late 1950s. Schools offered dissection labs more frequently as it was then believed to be necessary for a future career in life sciences. Consequently, the numbers of live animals captured and otherwise obtained specifically for use in elementary and secondary school dissection increased enormously. Now, five decades later, revolutions in computer and imaging technologies, paired with a heightened environmental consciousness, require a re-evaluation of how life sciences are taught in public schools. [ Back to top ] Environmental Consequences The amphibians and reptiles of the world are in peril. Frogs all over the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. Biological supply companies harvest millions of frogs, turtles, and snakes, to name a few, from the wild for dissection, contributing to this worldwide catastrophe. For example, the Connecticut bog turtle has been proposed as a candidate for the state endangered species list. The red-eared slider turtle – one of the most commonly used classroom specimens – has been proposed for inclusion in Appendix II of the CITIES list (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora). [ Back to top ] Alternatives to Traditional Dissection & Benefits Alternatives to traditional dissection comprise the latest advances in computer programming, including "virtual reality" dissection labs. These programs simulate actual dissection practices, offer an interactive educational experience, and provide extensive information on physiology, ecology, and comparative anatomy. Published studies show that students who use non-animal methods perform as well as, or better than, students who use traditional dissection. Some vet schools offer alternatives to animal labs and provide ethical-sourced cadavers for their students. Numerous medical schools’ curricula contain no live animal labs and non-human cadavers are rarely dissected. [ Back to top ] Students' Rights Many students are aware of the animal abuse and environmental degradation associated with specimen dissection, and are making an ethical and moral choice not to dissect. To date, six states have passed laws ensuring students the right to dissection choice: California, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, Florida and Pennsylvania. Several other states have state or district policies to this effect including Maine, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, and Virginia. Dissections in secondary schools are banned in the Slovak Republic, Holland, Switzerland, Poland, Argentina, Israel and the Indian state of Rajasthan. The Italian Parliament enacted a law in 1993 recognizing the right of conscientious objectors to refuse to participate in dissection. [ Back to top ] About ESEC The Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC), the scientific and educational affiliate of NEAVS, supports educators, parents, and students in using alternatives to specimen dissection and in replacing the detrimental use of animals at all levels of education and professional training. ESEC is dedicated to dissection choice legislation in Massachusetts. Visit ESEC's Web site, www.neavs.org/esec, for more information. [ Back to top ]
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