San Jose lawmaker introduces bill to ban animal dissection in schools

A California lawmaker has proposed a bill that would prohibit all K-12 students from performing animal dissections in school.

Assembly member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) has introduced the Replacing Animals in Science Education Act.

The legislation has gained support from animal and science advocates Social Compassion in Legislation, PETA and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, according to a news release.

The bill would ban the dismembering, or other destructive use, of an animal in the study of biological sciences. Current law allows students with a moral objection to dissection to complete an alternative project instead.

“Dissection presents a significant impact on the environment and our fragile ecosystems,” Assembley Member Kalra said in a statement. “Advancements in educational technology have expanded access to this important scientific instructional methodology without having to rely on animals."

Kalra suggested virtual, computer-based teaching practices as a more humane way for students to learn about anatomy.

“The popular understanding of dissection in schools is the dissection of frogs and worms,” a news release by the animal rights organization Social Compassion in Legislation stated. “However, a recent survey of schools that require dissection as a part of their science curricula include fetal pigs, cats, sharks, sheep and other animals.”

To become law, the bill must pass votes in the state assembly and senate.