Editor:

Animal dissection, which was first used in classrooms in the early part of the last century, is still being used in some Kennebunk High School classes.

In recent years, dissection has been increasingly scrutinized. Experts have reevaluated the educational worth and morality of cutting up animals just to “see how they work.”

Compassionate students want to study biology without dissecting animals. Sophisticated computer simulations, videodiscs and models have been developed to meet the needs of these students. All the studies of this issue show that students who use alternatives perform as well or better than students who use dissection.

Biology is the study of life and should teach respect for life, not devalue it by treating living beings as disposable objects. By using humane teaching methods, instructors can teach science and ethics simultaneously.

Brittany Landry

Kennebunk High School Junior