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Tell Missouri: Dissection Kills!

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Every year, countless students stand up and speak out against dissection. Why? Here are two reasons:

Dissection is cruel.

Over 10 million animals are used every year for classroom dissection, many of whom were KILLED specifically for it.

Students deserve better.

There are numerous modern, humane alternatives that can save schools money and are effective teaching tools. No U.S. medical school uses animals, so why do middle and high schools?

Luckily for some students, many states around the country—like Texas, Michigan, California, and New York—offer students the right to opt out of dissection and be given a humane alternative. Missouri isn't one of those states—so currently, if a student in Missouri has an ethical reason to opt out (you know, because killing animals for a classroom project is UNETHICAL and wrong), he or she can be forced to participate or face a failing grade!

fetal pig dissection

This isn't OK, and Missouri education officials need to hear from you. Tell them that students deserve better and that animals deserve to live, and ask them to let students opt out of dissection and be given an alternative that isn't cruel and wasteful.

View Message +

Margie

Vandeven Ph.D.

Commissioner of Education

Mr.

Charlie W.

Shields

Missouri Board of Education

Message to {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName}:

I am writing to urge the Missouri State Board of Education to join 23 other states--plus the District of Columbia--by adopting a formal policy allowing students to opt out of classroom animal dissection in favor of a humane non-animal assignment.

Adopting such a policy would be consistent with the guidance of leading science education organizations. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) all advise teachers to be responsive to students' growing moral, ethical, and religious concerns regarding animal dissection and provide them with alternative assignments such as computer simulations. The NSTA and HAPS also approve the use of non-animal teaching methods as complete replacements for animal dissection.

Implementing a student dissection-choice policy in Missouri would ensure that all schools have inclusive policies that give compassionate students access to modern and humane teaching methods so that they are not forced to violate their religious or moral convictions.

Studies by Gallup and others show that a growing majority of young adults are opposed to harming animals in experiments. Many are upset and cannot learn properly when they are forced to dissect animals but are hesitant to voice objections to authority figures. Additionally, research shows that non-animal methods, such as interactive computer-based virtual dissection software, teach students as well as or better than animal dissection. Non-animal methods are also less expensive and less time-intensive for educators.

May I have your assurance that the board will support humane science education?

Sincerely,
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~EMail Address}

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