Connecticut Fifth-Grader Successfully Lobbies for State Dissection Choice Law!

Dissecting dead animals has often been a part of middle school and high school science biology and anatomy curriculum. There are many that argue that this is the absolute best way for students to learn about biology and anatomy, but others believe that we should offer students a choice when it comes to dissecting an animal now that new technologies exist.

One amazing ten-year-old boy in Connecticut named Jack Kealy helped lobby for a bill that would give students this choice in his state.

Through his lobbying efforts, he advocated for the choice to use realistic plastic models or computer programs instead of dissection to learn about biology and anatomy in school, according to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

And guess what? The bill has become law! Connecticut now joins 15 other states and Washington, D.C. in having a choice on dissection in the classroom. Woohoo!

According to the HSUS, “It was midnight when state representatives and senators gathered for closing ceremonies. Lt. Gov. Wyman again mentioned what a remarkable job Jack had done. ‘I got a standing ovation from all of them,’ said Jack. ‘It was really great to see that all of our work had paid off.’ A few weeks later, Jack was invited to Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office to watch the bill be signed into law.”

What an incredible story of how one voice (even a young one!) can truly make a difference!

The HSUS reports that Jack now wants to work on other issues, like puppy mills. “I’m going to [work] on the bills important to me,” he says.

Way to go, Jack!

To take a look at some of the dissection alternatives available, Animalearn has an extensive selection of animal dissection replacements that schools can borrow or buy through their website. Cool, right?!

Image Source: peta2flickr