School Board considers letting student opt out of dissection

The Vancouver Sun
Apr 15, 2005
By Janet Steffenhagen

An animal activist says Vancouver is poised to become the first major school district is Canada to develop a policy that would allow students to opt out of animal dissections in science class.

Lesley Fox said she was thrilled this week when a school board committee approved the idea in principle and agreed to refer it to the school board as a whole for a decision. The board, which could consider the proposal as early as Monday, usually approves changes that have been endorsed by the committee.

"I am cautiously optimistic," Fox said in an interview Thursday. "I'm totally committed to helping the board in any way I can."

Fox acknowledged that teachers usually excuse those who don't want to participate in dissection. But she said the lack of a policy in Vnacouver and other school districts means students may feel compelled to cut up animals and insects even when they oppose the practice for moral or religious reasons.