Human embryology academic standards proposed

The Education Committee heard testimony Feb. 24 on a bill that would require the State Board of Education to create academic content standards for human embryology as part of Nebraska’s statewide science standards.

LB213, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcroft, would require the board to adopt such standards on or before March 1, 2026, and integrate the standards into school curricula by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

The proposal would require instruction on human embryology at all grade levels, focusing on the Carnegie Stages of Human Embryonic Development and the use of high-definition, four-dimensional visual recordings to illustrate development of essential organs during fetal development.

Under the bill, parents, guardians or educational decisionmakers could opt children out of human embryology instruction.

Holdcroft said Nebraska’s current academic standards do not include human embryology, details about the human life cycle or a definition of when a human life begins. Standards also do not incorporate the Carnegie Stages of Human Embryonic Development, he said, which he described as the “gold standard” for understanding the beginning of life and key fetal milestones.

“Students could be and should be learning about the stages of human development the same way they learn about the lifecycle of a butterfly or salmon,” he said. “LB213 is about correcting a major gap in Nebraska science standards and ensuring students are learning fundamental science content about humankind.”

Representing the Nebraska Catholic Conference, Marion Miner testified in support of the bill. Early stages of human development should be studied in science class, he said, instead of being solely taught in sex education presentations.

“Human development in its early stage is basic educational content that deserves to be studied in the objective, calm and non-ideological atmosphere of the science classroom,” Miner said.

Sandy Danek also testified in favor of the measure on behalf of Nebraska Right to Life.

Nebraska youth are interested in fetal development, Danek said, as evidenced by the many who visit the Nebraska Right to Life’s annual booth at the Nebraska State Fair. She said teenagers are especially drawn to the booth’s various fetal development models, which they often ask questions about.

Joy Kathurima testified in opposition to LB213 on behalf of ACLU Nebraska, saying the bill attempts to replicate laws in other states that mandate students view a video titled “Meet Baby Olivia.” Kathurima said the video was produced by an organization called Live Action, which she said has a history of spreading misinformation and promoting anti-abortion policies.

“Nebraskans deserve policies rooted in fact, not ideology,” Kathurima said. “Young people should have access to accurate, science-based education that empowers them to make informed decisions about their health and futures, not politically motivated propaganda.”

Elizabeth Weedin, a double board-certified OBGYN, also opposed the bill, raising concern over the lack of provisions to ensure materials used for instruction are accurate and meet scientific standards.

Testifying on behalf of the Nebraska Association of School Boards, Charles Riedesel also opposed LB213. In addition to restricting a school board’s local control over curricula, the bill could result in the use of graphic instructional materials that are inappropriate for impressionable young students, he said.

“Use of shock and awe to impress lessons into memory is definitely inappropriate and can be traumatizing,” Riedesel said.

The committee took no immediate action on the proposal.