Dissection Alternatives

We promote the use of dissection alternatives and support choice laws that give students the right to opt out of animal dissection in schools.

Close-up of a frog's face and chest, showing textured yellow skin and large, glossy eyes, amidst green moss and plant stems.

  • Humane Education is the teaching of compassion and empathy for all living beings and respect for their habitats. Classroom dissection is not humane education and causes the unnecessary suffering and death of tens of thousands of animals in this country each year.

    Frogs are taken by the millions from wetland habitats for dissection, despite the fact that amphibians are declining throughout the world. They are piled into sacks, starved, transported, and inhumanely killed by immersion in preservatives. The mass removal of these animals can have detrimental impacts on ecosystems. Other animals commonly dissected in science classrooms are pigs, cats and rats. Often cats are drowned and rats are injected with embalming fluid to kill them. Many animals are preserved with formaldehyde, a chemical toxic to humans.

    Dissection does not aid in learning and understanding the compassionate bond between humans and animals. Students deserve to be taught about respecting living beings and conservation of life, rather than being taught animals are disposable objects.

    Furthermore, more than 25 published studies show that students learn better when processes can be repeated, like showing the continuous beating of a heart. More ways to learn that can be used continuously include computer simulations or 3D models. These humane alternatives are often less costly, and will pay for themselves over time. The cost of obtaining animals to dissect on a yearly basis is expensive and less sustainable for school districts.

  • The American Anti-Vivisection Society’s (AAVS) Science Bank provides alternatives to dissection in schools – with the largest loan program of its kind in the U.S. During the COVID pandemic, the Science Bank became a welcome resource for educators facing the challenge of teaching remotely. Animalearn.org met their needs by developing a special resource page on the Science Bank website, featuring virtual alternatives that are now available online.

    With schools opening back up for full-time, in-person learning, many educators have reached out to AAVS and the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) looking to continue their shift away from dissection and toward humane science projects. NAVS’s all-new BioLEAP.org website is a comprehensive resource for identifying and acquiring the latest humane alternatives. Educators and students can search for innovative alternatives by animal type, grade level, or format to meet the needs of the classroom curriculum.

    As a way to help educators introduce humane science tools into their curriculum, NAVS has created a BioLEAP Classroom Grant, which offers up to $1000 to fund materials for humane, non-animal alternatives to dissection activities. Application cycles open annually in January; please see BioLEAP’s website for more information.

    In addition, BioLEAP has also released a Student Action Packet and a Teacher Action Packet, which guides students and teachers on how to switch to humane dissection alternatives.

    Please review the following resources:

    • Animalearn Dissection Legislation Map

    • NAVS Student Choice Laws and Policies

    • NAVS Choice Map - The National Anti-Vivisection Society’s (NAVS) Compassionate Humane Options in Classroom Education (CHOICE) initiative now offers a CHOICE Map. This interactive online resource shows which states and school districts allow for students to opt out of dissection – and easily download the language that guarantees your right to a humane alternative. Currently, 21 states and Washington, D.C., have laws or policies allowing K-12 students to choose not to dissect animals. Ohio is not one of these states.

  • There are many Humane Science Project ideas that can be used in alternative to dissection. In addition to science based alternatives, behavioral and observational science projects on companion animals, birds, and insects are scientifically educational and ethically non-controversial.

    • In this interview with a Texas science teacher, projects like building a model of a brain out of salt dough, rather than dissecting an animal brain, energize and inspire students to be future innovators.

    • Check out a wide range of humane alternative projects at The American Anti-Vivisection Society’s free library of humane science projects.

    • Read the Animal Welfare Institute’s Dissection Alternatives article that talks about effective non-animal methods to substitute for animal dissections.

    • To apply for The National Anti-Vivisection Society’s grants for educators to replace dissection activities with humane alternatives, and additional humane alternative projects, go to BioLEAP.org.

    • Learn about the alternatives available through Animalearn’s free loan program, The Science Bank.

  • If you're concerned about classroom dissection, there are several ways you can take action to address the issue, whether you're a student, teacher, parent, or advocate.

    Understand the Issue and Gather Information

    • Dissection often involves the killing of animals, many of whom are sourced from breeding farms or other commercial suppliers. In addition to ethical concerns about the treatment of animals, there are also environmental impacts of breeding and transporting animals for dissection purposes.

    • In 21 states, there are laws or policies giving K-12 students the right to opt for an alternative instead of participating in animal dissection. Ohio is not one of those states. However, many students who did not want to dissect, and lived in states where there is no dissection choice law, have won the right to choose an alternative with the help and guidance of their parents and/or guardians.

    Advocate for Alternative Methods

    • Promote virtual dissection programs, online platforms that simulate dissections, reusable 3D anatomical models, educational videos and animations, guided lessons, and other interactive tools. These resources are scientifically accurate, high-quality, safe for students, and do not harm animals. Find many resources on Animalearn.

    Educate Your Community

    • Start a conversation in your school or community about the ethical implications of dissection. Organize informational events, discussions, or presentations to educate others about the impact of animal dissection and promote alternative methods. If you are a student or part of a school community, consider starting a petition to end or replace dissection with alternatives. The petition can be presented to the administration or school board to raise awareness and demand action.

    • Many students, parents, and educators may not be aware of the emotional and physical toll dissection takes on animals. Providing statistics and research about the number of animals used, the conditions they are kept in, and the emotional impact on students can help people understand why this practice should be re-evaluated.

    Support Legislation to Protect Animals in Education

    • 21 states have passed “Student Choice” laws that require schools to offer alternatives to dissection for students who request it. Support these legislative efforts by joining organizations like OAA that work to end animal dissection in education.

    • Some organizations actively work to eliminate the use of animals in education. Consider volunteering with or donating to these groups, or even organizing your own campaigns to push for more humane and effective teaching methods.

    Advocate for Teacher Training on Alternatives

    • Teachers may be unaware of the available alternatives to animal dissection or may feel compelled to continue the practice because of tradition or lack of resources. Advocate for professional development workshops where teachers can learn about the educational benefits of non-animal methods and become familiar with the best practices for teaching anatomy and biology without using real animals.

    • Provide teachers with resources about alternative learning tools such as virtual dissections, 3D models, and video tutorials. Let them know that these tools are scientifically accurate, engaging, and more affordable in the long run, reducing the need to purchase real specimens every year.

    Create Student-Led Initiatives

    • As a student, you can start a club or group focused on animal rights and educational alternatives. This group can advocate for a shift away from dissection, engage with other students and faculty members, and even host awareness events to inform your school community about the ethical and scientific reasons for replacing animal dissections.

    • Collaborate with other schools or student organizations in your area that are working on similar initiatives. Together, you can amplify your message and have a stronger collective impact.

    Speak with School Officials

    • Approach the educators and administrators in your school or district with your concerns and present alternatives that could work better for the students and animals involved. Some schools have made the switch to non-animal alternatives due to student advocacy or parent support.

    • Provide evidence of alternatives’ effectiveness - When advocating for the change, provide research that shows alternatives are just as effective (if not more so) than using real animals for teaching purposes.

    Encourage Empathy and Compassion in Education

    • Encourage schools to include discussions about empathy, ethics, and the environmental impacts of animal use in education. Many students find that learning about the complex emotions and cognitive abilities of animals increases their desire to seek more humane alternatives.

    Highlight the Environmental and Conservation Benefits

    • Many of the animals used in dissection come from species that are endangered or at risk. By advocating for alternatives to dissection, you’re helping to reduce the exploitation of animals, particularly in cases where species conservation is a concern.

    • Non-animal alternatives are often more sustainable, as they don’t require the breeding, transportation, and disposal of real animals. Virtual dissections and models are reusable, making them a more environmentally friendly choice.

    The movement to replace classroom dissection with alternatives is gaining momentum, and there are many steps you can take to be part of the change. By advocating for alternatives like virtual dissections, 3D models, and educational videos, you can help reduce the reliance on animal dissection in schools while also promoting compassion, ethical behavior, and environmental consciousness. Whether you're a student, parent, teacher, or community member, your actions can help create a more humane and effective educational environment for everyone involved.

  • Literature and Toolkits:

    Websites:

Check out our other Advocacy areas of focus: