Position Statement on the Use of Animals in Pre-College Science Research

Society for Science & the Public affirms its conviction that the humane use of animals by students under qualified adult supervision is necessary and important for learning about the life sciences. As science educators, one of our major roles is to establish guidelines for the appropriate use of animals in pre-college research projects and in classrooms. We are committed to the promulgation and strict enforcement of existing rules that were designed to ensure the humane and proper treatment of any animal used in our science competitions.

The International Rules and Guidelines have been written to teach students about the humane treatment of animals as well as respect for all living things. Alternatives are encouraged and must be explored during the pre-approval process. The requirement for prior project review and approval as well as the direct supervision of student research has raised the quality of scientific research in the pre-collegiate arena and protected the welfare of animals. Society for Science & the Public and the International Science and Engineering Fair Scientific Review Committee promote and enforce these guidelines and have processes in place to ensure those competing are in compliance.

Society for Science & the Public has taken the responsibility of establishing the comprehensive guidelines for student science research. They are widely accepted and are becoming the standard for pre-college science research. These guidelines are reviewed annually and are appropriately more strict and comprehensive than those of the federal government. We believe prohibition of animal based research projects at the Intel ISEF and affiliated fairs will eliminate these established guidelines governing animal use. If animal research projects at Intel ISEF are eliminated, unregulated and unsupervised animal research at the secondary and lower level will increase. Students will proceed with experimentation without rules or guidelines undoubtedly resulting in the proliferation of inhumane science projects and classroom activities. National and state mandated educational standards that require scientific inquiry will be seriously compromised. This action would be detrimental to science education and animals and would not serve the public interest.