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Dissection Alternatives Every high school student knows that one day their biology teacher will ask them to dissect a worm, grasshopper, frog, or some other creature. But what if you think it is ethically wrong to dissect? Do you have a choice? The answer is yes you do. Your Rights: In nine states, your choice and ethical decisions are protected by law. If you live in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Virginia, by law your high school cannot force you to dissect. They have to provide you with an alternative assignment. Click here to read the actual laws: www.animalearn.org/lawsandlegislation.phpWhat if you live in the other states? You can still make a case to your school that they should implement their own dissection policies. Talk with your teacher and if your teacher isn't sympathetic, talk to your guidance councilor, principal or other trusted teacher. Many students have voiced their opinions and won the right to have an alternative assignment. Alternatives: Teachers may not know about alternatives so that is your opportunity to introduce your school to new software. They don't even have to spend any money. Animal Learn and the National Anti-Vivisection Society lend schools software for free. Click on the links below to learn more about getting dissection software in your school: www.animalearn.org/view_sciencebank.php www.navs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ain_edu_dissection_loan_program The Bigger Picture: It's a great success if you are given an alternative to dissection in your school. But what about the students who come after you? What if they don't know to ask about their rights? How do you make options a part of the regular class so when a teacher introduces dissection, they also talk about alternatives for those that don't want to dissect?The trick is, to make dissection alternatives a part of the regular curriculum so the teacher has to notify the entire class that they have options. But how do you get something added to the curriculum? Well, it depends on whether you go to private or public school. (By the way, a curriculum is simply the lesson plans for the year) Students can also have their school agree to a dissection choice policy and make sure students are made aware of this policy by adding the information to the curriculum. Public School: Some public schools have their own curriculums and some schools are a part of a district that have district wide curriculums. Talk to your biology teacher or principal and ask how you can recommend an addition to the lesson plan in which students are asked to dissect.Private School: Private schools are independent and don�t have to follow the same rules as public schools. So most likely they design their own curriculums. Talk to your biology teacher, principal or other trusted teacher to ask how you can make dissection alternatives a part of the regular lesson plan.Petition: If your words go unheard and you don�t seem to be getting anywhere with the administration, start a petition. Make sure to get students, parents, teachers and staff to sign your petition so the school knows that the entire community wants alternatives offered to students. Click here to print out a dissection alternative petition. |
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