Garrett's August 7 posting about the ethical dilemma of an activity that is likely to result in animals' deaths coincided with an interesting and unsolicited email I received. If you haven't read Garrett's blog about the controversial fish maintanance activity, then I think that you should. It would quite easy to brush-off concerns about fish deaths as being sissy or silly -- with all the harsh masculinity that underlies such a stance. But what an odd contradiction to claim that biology is the study of life and then require a lab that leads to death. Yes, I know those are complementary. And it is killing me (sorry!) that I haven't had a chance to begin reading Sex and Death: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Biology even though it is sitting on my shelf. But the point is that we must be sensitve to students' views even as those give us occasions for modeliing the best of what it means to be a caring human being.
The email came from a Research Associate from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Yes: PETA! But here is an example where it seems possible to strike a reasonable balance. Julian Carr wrote:
Following this nice introduction, Julian offered a website where science teachers can access "virtual" dissections for use in science classrooms. Here it is: http://peta.org/dissection. From what I can tell, none of these are free. But it seems like a reasonable alternative for those students who are troubled by dissecting actual animals. I anticipate some of these companies will be exhibitors at the NSTA Meeting in Philadelphia. And who knows: maybe your future employer would be willing to spring for the costs of some of these if you feel they are worthwhile.
The email came from a Research Associate from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Yes: PETA! But here is an example where it seems possible to strike a reasonable balance. Julian Carr wrote:
Last summer, after the NSTA amended its position statement to acknowledge the viability of non-animal alternatives to dissection, I wrote to you with information about the availability and efficacy of non-animal learning methods in elementary and secondary science education. I hope that you found this information helpful and informative.
Following this nice introduction, Julian offered a website where science teachers can access "virtual" dissections for use in science classrooms. Here it is: http://peta.org/dissection. From what I can tell, none of these are free. But it seems like a reasonable alternative for those students who are troubled by dissecting actual animals. I anticipate some of these companies will be exhibitors at the NSTA Meeting in Philadelphia. And who knows: maybe your future employer would be willing to spring for the costs of some of these if you feel they are worthwhile.
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