Ban Animal Dissection K–12 in California!

AAVS urges California residents to take action before May 1st to support AB 1586, the Replacing Animals in Science Education Act (RAISE) Act. This bill has been endorsed by our education division, Animalearn, which engages with educators and students every day, promoting humane science education.

Why support AB 1586?
Over 30 years ago, California gave students the legal right to opt out of dissection in favor of humane science method; many other states have done the same. AB 1586 is different, proposing to amend the CA Education Code to completely prohibit animal dissections. The new law would apply to grades K–12, in both in public and private schools, and would promote the use of science education curricula that do not involve the destructive use of animals.

Please contact the California State Assembly Committee on Education before the bill’s hearing on May 1. Ask Chair Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell and Vice-Chair Assembly Member Kevin Kiley to support and advance AB 1586, introduced by Assembly Member Ash Kalra, to enable ALL students to learn science without harming animals in the process.

Let them know that:

• Millions of animals are harmed and killed in the name of science education, raising urgent animal welfare and environmental concerns. According to US Fish & Wildlife Services records reviewed by Animalearn, 900,000 wild-caught frogs were imported from Mexico for use in U.S. science classes from 2013-2015.
• Numerous studies have shown that students can learn just as well as—or better—with humane non-animal methods.
• Hundreds of innovative humane science alternatives exist for students to learn anatomy and physiology, and Animalearn’s free loan program, The Science Bank, has served teachers and students who love using them.

Dissection is an archaic practice. In today’s world with all the amazing technology that exists, it makes sense to replace dissection trays with 21^st century technologies that are fun, educational, engaging, and best of all, HUMANE.

Please voice your support of AB 1586 today to be a voice for both students and animals!