Resources & Archives Dissection Choice Bill - H.1904 faces legislative delays Your support is urgently needed Photo Credit: NAVS (Summer 2000) — H.1904, Massachusetts' student "dissection choice" bill, recently poised to go before the House and Senate, is now, at press time, facing possible delays. Although NEAVS' affiliate, the Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC), has been working diligently, prolonged budget hearings at the state house mean that the bill might be hung up in committee until the next legislative season in January 2001. "With the continued promise of support from sponsor Representative Louis Kafka and Education Committee Co-Chair Lida Harkins, we are very optimistic that we will still move this bill forward," said Theodora Capaldo, EdD, President. "H.1904 is long overdue for passage. Students in Massachusetts need to be ensured an ethical, scientifically and educationally sound alternative to dissection if they so choose. H.1904's goal - to protect students' rights to conscientious objection - is a critical first step in developing a humane ethic in one's relationship with animals." With passage, H.1904 will make Massachusetts the ninth state in the country to secure for students the right of moral conscience. "H.1904 ensures that students who choose to refrain from participating in dissection will not be penalized for doing so," said Erica Rosen, Program and Research Associate. Capaldo added that H.1904, introduced by Representative Kafka, was originally co-sponsored by 25 legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, from a true cross-section of Massachusetts' cities and towns. The bill now has more than 45 legislative endorsers. "The consequences of forced dissection can include nightmares, an avoidance of further science classes, feelings of helplessness, and/or a distancing of compassion for animals," according to Capaldo who is a psychologist. "Sadly, students who oppose dissection often end up performing the exercise. Many students are uncomfortable bringing their concerns to their teachers since, as accepted authority figures, teachers can be intimidating, even if unintentionally," she said. Students who elect alternative methods to traditional dissection will still be required to do the same amount of work, to learn the same lessons, and to pass equally rigorous exams as students who dissect, according to Rosen. "Educators who have seen and used the latest technologies have been greatly impressed by the quality of what is now available to students," noted Rosen. "Studies have shown that students using these and similar alternatives perform as well as - if not better than - students who learn through the use of traditional dissection exercises." Capaldo and Rosen have made presentations on alternatives to state legislators, the state's Department of Education, and the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers (MAST). Impressed with the new technologies and the bill, the MAST removed its letter of opposition to H.1904 from its Web site, and the Department of Education has expressed support for the intent of the bill. ESEC is committed to making dissection alternatives readily available for schools and students to obtain. The NEAVS/ESEC Resource Room at 333 Washington St., Boston, contains three-dimensional and interactive computer programs, models, books, slides, videos and charts available on loan for students to use, Rosen said. ESEC is offering a variety of services to ensure that all Massachusetts citizens fully understand and appreciate the value and importance of H.1904, including: An in-house ESEC science teacher to provide alternative classes for students, as needed, with lessons tailored to meet the learning objectives dictated by the students' own teacher (in development). Additional information about, and assistance in, the selection of alternative teaching tools and the development of lesson plans using the alternatives. Funding to support interested schools in the purchase of dissection alternatives, including pilot programs that ESEC is donating to schools. Information and training on dissection alternatives for teacher certification programs. Professional Development Points to teachers who complete training workshops in dissection alternatives through ESEC (currently being developed). Veterinarians and medical doctors to do presentations on dissection. Back to UPDATE 2000 Series, Vol. 1, No. 2 Summer mainpage.