``Day on the Hill'' Showcases Dissection Alternatives; Legislators Meet Students, Parents and Teachers.

City Desks/Education Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2003

Senator Pamela Resor (D-Acton), Representative Louis Kafka (D-Sharon) and the Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC) announce a Day on the Hill on Thursday, May 1, at the State House (Nurses Hall) from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Light food and coffee will be served. The public is invited.

Representative Kafka is lead sponsor and Senator Resor is a co-sponsor of the Dissection Choice bill, H.1252, which would "permit those students who choose not to participate in dissection to be allowed to demonstrate competency through an alternative method." H. 1252 respects students' ethics and morals and guarantees a comparable alternative consistent with their beliefs. Six states have similar legislation.

Senator Resor, Representative Kafka and other legislators will be available for interviews.

Dissection alternatives, the latest tools in humane education, and the humane, economic and environmental advantages of alternatives will be discussed.

-- A recent Tufts University study shows a strong majority (64%)

of MA life science teachers support or strongly support

dissection choice legislation;

-- Studies show that students using alternatives perform as well,

if not better, than those using specimens;

-- Computer programs are reusable, readily available (often free

loans) and therefore more economical than animal specimens;

-- Alternatives do not contribute to environmental waste, animal

suffering or species depletion.

Says Theodora Capaldo, Ed.D, President of ESEC, "This legislation respects values based in compassion. These high-tech, engaging, and sophisticated 'alternatives' are on the frontline of science education and provide answers to today's humane, budgetary and environmental concerns. Most important, the guaranteed right to humane alternatives will keep bright, caring students in science."

This Day on the Hill provides a forum for parents, legislators, educators, and students, and an opportunity to TRY alternatives.

Says Capaldo, "Parents, students and teachers contact ESEC for advice. This Day on the Hill is an opportunity to meet humane educators and legislators, so they may better understand students' rights and options and be part of efforts for this needed law."

Adds Capaldo, "Our message is clear: Dissection choice legislation protects students; saves animals who suffer for science classes; saves money; protects the environment; and keeps compassionate students in science. Everybody wins. It doesn't get any better than that."

For copies of H.1252 or more information contact ESEC at [phone] or www.neavs.org/esec.