Fo the past five years the prestegious private Chicagoarea high school, Brother Rice has been using animals including cats in its honors biology and anatomy class. Brother Rice is one of the top 50 Catholic schools in the nation yet is teaching cruel and antiquated teaching methods to their impressionable students; many of whom may come to believe tht animal dissection is an acceptable part of science. The school offers no other alternative programs for those who are in the class and decide not to participate, and it is not open to newer and less harmful methods such as computer modules. There are already many medical schools and research hospitals that have phased out vivesection in lieu of more affordable, more humane teaching methods. Brother Rice should follow their example and opt to discontinue using animals in its science class. Let's send the science instructor, Mr. Strehlau a message that using animals for science is NOT ok.
We the Undersigned,
Are writing you to ask that you please consider phasing out the usage of animal cadavers in your honors anatomy and biology class. As you may or may not be aware, there are newer non-animal methods available. These are affordable, effective and humane, including: computer module and 3-dimensional models of tumors, human cadaver body parts and cell and tissue cultures. There have been many medical schools that have decided to discontinue this practice and we think it would be a a step in the right direction if Brother Rice followed suit. By continuing to use animals, Brother Rice is sending the message that they have little regard for the lives of animals or what pain and suffering they may have gone through in their life. In addition, you cannot be completely sure that you obtained them ethically as many animals that are discarded, sold or donated to labs or schools suffer immense cruelty in their short lives. I am well aware that you believe that using animals, such as cats to dissect is a good teaching tool, but this is not the case anymore as our technology has made advances to allow us to look elsewhere for scientific study. I appreciate your time in this manner.
Thank You.
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