winter 2006 Humane Science Education: Making the Grade A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E A M E R I C A N A N T I -V I V I S E C T I O N SOCIETY Who Are We? VOLUME CXIV, NUMBER 1 ISSN 0274-7774 ounded in 1883, the American Anti- Vivisection Society (AAVS) is the oldest FIRST WORD non-profitF animal advocacy and educational organization in the United States dedicated to ending experimentation on animals in A VICTORY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION research, testing, and education. AAVS also Contents opposes and works to end other forms of FEATURES cruelty to animals. We work with students, grassroots groups, individuals, teachers, the Talk about perfect timing. In January Managing Editor media, other national organizations, govern- 2006, the New Jersey Student Dissection Humane education – a Happy convert: introducing ment officials, members of the scientific Crystal Schaeffer 2 16 Choice Bill was signed into law, just in time Copy Editor one PersPective from tHe field alternatives into my classroom community, and advocates in other coun- By Nicole Green, AAVS Assistant By Sharon Maselli, Biology Teacher, tries to legally and effectively end the use of Julie Cooper-Fratrik for the dreaded spring season of dissection Director of Education Westerly Learning Center, New Jersey animals in science through education, advo- cacy, and the development of alternative in schools and just in time to have some Since its establishment 15 years ago, Although a bit skeptical at first, after methods to animal use. wonderful news to start off this issue of the Animalearn remains a leader in trying some dissection alternatives, AV Magazine. STAFF promoting humane education, dissection this New Jersey teacher is happy to AAVS has two main divisions, each involved alternatives, and student choice policies. include them in her classroom. in specific activities. Animalearn is the In the AAVS office, we applauded the Jeanne Borden, education program of AAVS, which focuses Administration Assistant on ending vivisection and dissection in the New Jersey bill’s success as another decisive The animalearn intern Program & KeePing animal Biology alive in Laura Ducceschi, Education Director 4 20 classroom. From elementary through college endorsement of students’ rights to stand up student PersPectives secondary scHools levels, Animalearn helps countless individu- Heather Gaghan, Assistant Director By Lynette Hart and Mary Wood, for what they believe, following the lead by of Development & Member Services Over the past several years, AAVS has als make their classrooms more humane. UC Center for Animal Alternatives, Animalearn operates the most aggressive other states such as Pennsylvania, California, Nicole Green, Assistant Director of enjoyed working with a number of student interns. It’s our great pleasure University of California, Davis dissection alternatives lending library in Education the country, The Science Bank; it provides and Illinois. Staff from AAVS’s education to introduce a few to our readers. Bringing advanced technology to high school Nicole Perry, Membership Coordinator alternatives to using animals, from basic division, Animalearn, had provided expert biology classrooms paves the way for better Jennifer Raila, Office Assistant dissection, through psychology experiments. quality education for future scientists. testimony to the legislature in our neighboring state of New Jersey. We also provided Crystal Schaeffer, Outreach Director time to learn sometHing new… Animalearn also participates in national 7 teacher conferences and hosts workshops local activists with the resources they needed to make their case, including dissection Julie Sinnamon, Executive Assistant By Siri Martinsen, Veterinarian, Director vivisection Hurts: too mucH to help teachers learn ways of educating alternatives from Animalearn’s lending library, The Science Bank. As The Science Bank for Programs & Administration of NOAH – for Animal Rights, Norway, 22 animal use in researcH and education without harming other living creatures. and Representative, InterNICHE Animalearn’s National Humane Educators celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are happy to report to our members and friends that Lauren Zaprala, IT Manager & is unnecessary and inHumane Graphic Designer Finding shared ideals and visions, By Lawrence A. Hansen, MD, University Network links interested parties with speak- our resources are proven to make a difference, not just in persuading legislators, but in ers across the country, bringing the message InterNICHE has created a network of humane of California, San Diego helping students and educators every day. GRAPHIC DESIGN/ILLUSTRATION: education, connecting cultures, generations, of humane education to thousands. © Copyright 2006 eureka, and the people welcoming change. Highly respected in the medical community, In these pages, AAVS is offering you a remarkable range of articles on the benefits Dr. Hansen offers his frank reasoning as to The Outreach division of AAVS educates the www.abouteureka.com general public about animal issues through of humane science education that we hope will not only inform, but inspire. We why the use of animals in medical education The AV Magazine (USPS 002-660) is vivisection NOT! alternatives, The one of the top-rated literature collections 9 and research is wholly unnecessary. were fortunate to enlist the writing skills of some wonderfully accomplished medical published quarterly under the auspices of Best of animals & science in the animal advocacy movement and the the American Anti-Vivisection Society, By Vets Care Organization, Pakistan informative AAVS website. Our quarterly professionals and educators who have been in the forefront of improving education by Sue Leary, President. Annual membership ongoing renovation—animals in publication, AV Magazine, and bi-monthly Inspiring and courageous, learn about the 24 steering away from the traditional uses of animals for vivisection and dissection in the dues: $25 .00. Third-class postage paid at veterinary medical education newsletter, Activate For Animals, provide Lancaster, Pa. start of a new revolution in Pakistan. By Lara Marie Rasmussen, DVM, MS, comprehensive up-to-date information on classroom. They agreed to share with you their perspectives on how even advanced Diplomate, American College of Veterinary the scientific and ethical dimensions of science and medical education can be both a better learning experience for students Office of Publication: creating caring: Surgeons Member, Program Committee for animal experiments and alternatives. Both 10 publications encourage AAVS members and and better for animals when alternative methods are employed. 801 Old York Rd., #204 a comPassionate Curriculum the AAVMC Educational Symposium 2006 Jenkintown, PA 19046-1685 By Rachel Fouts-Carrico, Education supporters to become actively involved in I only wish these innovators had been in charge when I was a university biology Telephone: (215) 887-0816 Specialist, Friends of Washoe Open communication, sharing, and choice our campaigns. Outreach staff also travel to Fax: (215) 887-2088 of veterinarians, professors, students, speaking engagements and conferences and student in the 1970s. Instead, I had to turn away from a career in the biological sciences E-mail: [email protected] A specially designed curriculum on and institutions have led to a proactive place advertisements in national publica- because there was no choice except to harm animals, and that, I would not do. I have chimpanzees that helps to foster compassion tions to spread the AAVS message across the Website: www.aavs.org approach to teaching veterinary medicine. always wondered how many students like me were lost to science because they did not and empathy for all living beings. country. succumb to pressure from instructors and peers to desensitize themselves and repress Articles published in the AV Magazine may The Alternatives Research & Development be reproduced with written permission and virtual dissection: Foundation (ARDF), an affiliate of AAVS, their aversion to causing pain. Today I see colorful public relations programs aimed with credit given to AAVS. Also, we appreciate 14 a steP-By-steP tutorial awards grants to scientists and educators at encouraging girls to pursue careers in science and I think, “How disingenuous!” receiving pertinent newspaper and magazine By Laura Ducceschi, AAVS Education Director working to develop non-animal methods clippings, including their sources and dates of of investigation. ARDF’s unique program Science professions don’t deserve the smart and sincere young people they seek unless publication. Get a firsthand look at one common provides the necessary resources for the they are willing to make science education a study worthy of them, and make biology in dissection alternative! development of alternatives to the use of particular a life-affirming study rather than something tainted with unnecessary cruelty When sending funds or making bequests, animals, and it advocates the use of alterna- please use our legal title: tives through the internet and by participat- and death. COLUMNS ing in conferences and seminars. Through The American Anti-Vivisection Society these endeavors, ARDF works to promote At AAVS, it has always been one of our values to work with young people who care 801 Old York Rd., #204 scientific solutions for today with humane about animals. Our “Miss B’Kind Club” flourished in the early years of the 1900s and Jenkintown, PA 19046-1685 mediawatcH message to our memBers visions for the future. AAVS18 speaks out on behalf of humane When31 you support AAVS, you also support it may sound quaint, but in fact, it was ahead of its time in encouraging children to Organized and established in 1883. education and animals used in cloning our work as a leader in the promotion We ask you to become a member of AAVS examine and embrace positive values about animals. and genetic engineering research. and development of humane education. and help us to end the use of animals in science through education, advocacy, and If it is a cliché to say that children are the future, it is also undeniably true. They are The individual views expressed in the the development of alternative methods.