Don't want to dissect? You don't have to!

from American Anti-Vivisection Society

The mission of the American Anti-Vivisection Society is to unequivocally oppose and work to end experimentation on animals and to oppose all other forms of cruelty to animals.

Students from all educational levels may be faced with the ethical dilemma of whether or not to participate in the dissection of animals. While some believe that dissection is a necessary way to teach and study science, a growing number of students and educators are choosing to cut out traditional dissection methods in favor of non-animal alternatives.

Many individuals say no to dissection because they are aware of how animals end up in dissection trays. Frogs, earthworms, crayfish, fetal pigs, small animals and cats can be obtained from the wild, slaughterhouses, shelters, or purpose bred in facilities that profit from their sale. Be aware that many companion animals can also be the target of animal dealers who make money from stealing and selling them for use in dissection.

Whatever reason you may have for choosing not to dissect you can take the following steps to help cut out cruelty in your classroom!

Voice your objections early! As a student who has ethical concerns regarding animal dissection, the first thing you must do is to tell your teacher or professor, as soon as you are made aware that dissections are part of your coursework. By simply speaking out about this issue, you are not only taking a stand for the animals but also for your own right of freedom of expression.

Ask questions. Be sure to find out what your teacher wants you to learn from the dissection or lab exercise. Together you should be able to figure out a project that will result in the same outcomes without harming animals.


Talk to others about your decision especially your parents or guardians. It really makes a difference to have support from others, especially if you are a Jr. high or high school student and are apprehensive about approaching your teacher alone. It also helps to talk about this issue with others who may feel as you do. The more students who object to dissection, the more educators will want to explore the possibility of using alternatives to dissection.

Speak to the Principal/Dean/Board of Education/Student Government. If your teacher/professor is unwilling to discuss alternatives or provide an alternative project, you may have to take your request to a higher power.

Spread awareness about dissection! Start an animal rights group at your school and pass out literature on the subject; show a video about the horrors of dissection; write a letter to the editor in your school paper and/or your local paper on the subject; and have students, teachers, and/or others in your community sign a petition in support of alternatives to dissection.

With persistence you WILL definitely see a change, which will ultimately help the animals being used in your classroom!

What else you can do:
Please visit American Anti-Vivisection Society
http://www.aavs.org/

Contact Animalearn. Contact Animalearn directly at info@animalearn.org or by phone at (800)729-2287 to receive information about animals used in education and alternatives to animal labs. You may even want to borrow an alternative such as a CD-ROM, video, or model, free of charge, to show your teacher, principal, school board, dean, or student government board for your next meeting or presentation.

Learn about World Lab Animal Day

http://www.all-creatures.org/wlalw/help.html

http://www.navs.org.uk/media_centre/35/0/750/