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CONTACTS: Nicole Green, Assistant Director of Education, Animalearn
(215)887-0816
April Kung, Virginia Commonwealth University Student
(804)358-2829

Students Granted the Right to Trade in Scalpels for Computer Mouse at Virginia Commonwealth University
JENKINTOWN, PA, March 7, 2005

Students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) have recently been given the option to trade in a scalpel for a computer mouse. Due to the persistence of VCU biology student April Kung and support from both the Student Body President Zmarak Khan and the Chair of the Biology Department Dr. Len Smock, the Student Senate passed a new policy called the Non-Dissection Paths Resolution (SEN 08-2005). This groundbreaking policy gives students with ethical or religious objections to dissection the opportunity to earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree without participating in academic exercises they find objectionable. VCU's monumental decision follows in the footsteps of several other colleges and universities such as Cornell, UC Berkeley, and the University of Illinois, that offer student choice policies. The number of animal friendly university students in the United States working to implement dissection choice policies in order to obtain a degree without harming animals in the process is skyrocketing. "To me, the significance of this policy is that students who revere life no longer need to feel shut out of the sciences. The resulting influx of conscientious professionals into the sciences will create even more momentum in the direction of compassion and respect for life. VCU, and other universities with similar policies, should be applauded for recognizing the future benefits this will have for all of us," explained VCU biology student April Kung. There are a number of studies that have been published in scientific journals, which demonstrate that students using alternatives can often learn just as well as or better than students participating in traditional animal dissection laboratories. In fact, several medical and veterinary schools have done away with animal laboratories in favor of humane alternatives. "We are very excited about VCU's decision to implement a student choice policy. Alternative methods, such as CDs and models, are highly effective learning tools and much more cost efficient than dissection specimens," said Nicole Green, Assistant Director of Education for Animalearn. You can view the VCU Non-Dissection Resolution here. Animalearn is the education division of the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS). AAVS is a non-profit animal advocacy and educational organization dedicated to ending experiments on animals used in research, testing, and education. Founded in 1883, AAVS is the oldest organization in the United States dedicated to eliminating experiments on animals. AAVS pursues its objectives through legal and effective advocacy, education, and the development of alternative methods. Animalearn assists students and educators through its alternative to dissection loan program called The Science Bank.