By Stephanie Edwards
Students in New Jersey public schools now have a choice they’ve never legally had before—the choice to refuse animal dissection in class.
In January 2006, New Jersey passed legislation that allows public school students to use a humane alternative to traditional animal dissection without being discriminated against or penalized. Putting the mind of the conscientious student at ease, the law specifically states that “A pupil shall not be discriminated against, in grading or in any other manner, based upon a decision to exercise the rights afforded pursuant to this act.”
This new law also protects animals, and from more than just dissection, albeit at the discretion of the students. Students may now refuse to “dissect, vivisect, incubate, capture or otherwise harm or destroy animals as part of their educational instruction.” Schools must also notify students of their choice, as well as provide students with alternatives to dissection. Alternative education projects, such as interactive CD-ROMs and web sites, video tapes, models, films, and books, must be provided to students who declare their intent to opt out of these exercises.
The HSUS considers the latest of the dissection choice good news for animals. Barbara Dyer, program coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of The HSUS explains, “The Humane Society of the United States applauds the New Jersey Legislature and Governor Codey for making it possible for all hardworking students to achieve top grades in science class without having to dissect or otherwise harm animals.”
To help students and teachers who are seeking alternative materials, The HSUS will loan dissection alternatives to teachers and students for free, as part of its Humane Education Loan Program (HELP).
Though some states have Board of Education Policies that recommend that dissection alternatives be offered to students, these policies are often not strong enough to truly protect a student's right to use dissection alternatives. One example is Massachusetts. Though the Massachusetts Board of Education adopted a dissection choice policy in October 2005, its vague language fails to clearly mandate dissection choice. With other forces in the state opposing passage of a student dissection choice law, Massachusetts' students and animals remain unprotected.
Massachusetts' Fight for Dissection Choice
Despite being the first state to introduce choice legislation, Massachusetts has so far been unable to pass a student choice law, despite public education efforts and testimony by both The HSUS and other animal protection groups in the Massachusetts Senate and House in support of a student choice law.
Passage of the legislation has been challenged by the state's powerful biomedical industry (including biotechnology companies) working against student dissection choice. Massachusetts plays host to nearly 300 biotechnology companies—more than in any other state or province in North America except California.
In the 2003-2004 session of Massachusetts legislative assembly, a student choice bill passed in both the Senate and the House, but was twice vetoed by Governor Mitt Romney. In the Governor’s response, he stated that “biomedical research is an important component of the Commonwealth’s economy and job creation,” and expressed his concern that the legislation would “send the unintended message that animal research is frowned upon.” This, despite the fact that dissection choice in no way prohibits dissection; it simply protects students from punishment if they use alternatives to activities that harm animals.
In 2005, another Massachusetts dissection choice bill was introduced to the state legislature. It was heard before the Joint Committee on Education in May 2005, but the committee has yet to take any action.
Though surveys—including a 2001 survey of certified Massachusetts life science teachers—have demonstrated teacher support for student choice laws, 42 states remain in need of legislation. The HSUS hopes New Jersey's efforts to reduce the number of animals used in dissection and to provide students with humane alternatives will serve as a policy model for Massachusetts and other states.
What You Can Do
1. Massachusetts Residents: Tell your legislators to give students dissection choice.
2. U.S. Residents: Use our Dissection Campaign Packet to inform teachers, students, and other members of the public about the dissection issue, and about the need to replace the practice of killing and cutting up animals for education with effective, humane alternatives.
Stephanie Edwards is the outreach coordinator for Animal Research Issues for The HSUS.
