Programs & Campaigns
May 31 Rally In Support Of Dissection Choice:
Animal Advocates Rally at Convention of Mass Teachers' Association
(Boston, MA) -- On Saturday, May 31 at 9:00 AM students, teachers,
parents and concerned citizens will gather outside the Massachusetts
Teachers Association's (MTA) Annual Meeting at the Hynes Convention
Center (900 Boylston St., near main entrance) in Boston.
Organized by the Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC),
this peaceful demonstration will draw attention to the MTA's opposition
to Massachusetts House Bill 1252, An Act Relative to Dissection
Choice
Introduced by Representative Louis Kafka (D-Sharon), H.1252 will
protect students from academic penalty if their religious or ethical
beliefs require alternatives to animal dissection.
The MTA's interference has kept passage of this bill at bay for
years, despite compelling evidence that many MA teachers would support
such legislation. Says ESEC president Dr. Theo Capaldo, "A
recent Tufts University study showing that 63.6% of Massachusetts
life science teachers support a dissection choice bill."
In addition, Capaldo points out, "The Tufts study indicates
that 20-25% of MA teachers refuse students alternatives. At previous
legislative hearings, former and current students, often in tears,
have testified in front of the Massachusetts legislature and the
MTA of forced dissections, thwarted science careers, and academic
failure. It's incomprehensible that the MTA continues to be against
this reasonable bill."
Evidence from comparative studies shows that students using alternatives
learn as well as, if not better than students doing traditional
animal dissection. All alternatives are reusable, many are available
free from the Internet and loan libraries, and none require costly
hazardous waste disposal, making alternatives environmentally and
fiscally responsible, as well as humane.
Adds Capaldo, "ESEC's presence at the MTA meeting at the Hynes
Convention Center will remind up to 1500 conference attendees that
the MTA's opposition to the protection of a student's right to choose
humane alternatives is outdated, unsubstantiated and not reflective
of popular - or even their own members'- opinion."
For copies of H.1252 or more information or to arrange for an interview/article,
contact the ESEC office at (617)
523-6020 Ext. 27
or esec@neavs.org, www.neavs.org/esec.
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