Join AFSA's Dr. Dana Kolsky and renowned neuroscientist Dr. Garet Lahvis as they delve into the ethical issues of animal research, with a focus on the mental wellbeing of animals in laboratories. Dr. Lahvis shares his journey from a key researcher to an advocate against animal confinement in laboratories. Explore the limitations of animal models in studying human conditions, understand the role of ethics committees, and consider alternatives to traditional research methods. This insightful discussion challenges the current scientific practices and highlights the need for a more compassionate and innovative approach.

Read the episode transcript here.

About our guest:

Dr. Garrett Lahvis is a former professor of behavioral neuroscience at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. He holds degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology, natural resources, toxicology, and immunology. Dr. Lahvis has published over 40 scientific papers and received two literary awards plus a Pushcart Prize nomination. He is renowned for his research on social emotions such as empathy in mice. His journey into questioning the validity and ethics of animal research models due to their inadequate living conditions led him to cease his work in animal research, steering his expertise towards authorship with a forthcoming book for the University of Chicago Press.

Dr. Lahvis outlines his journey departing from traditional research in favor of advocating for the dignity and welfare of animals and highlighting the conflict scientists face between their research outcomes and the conditions laboratory animals endure. His perspectives challenge the norms within scientific communities and urge a reevaluation of fundamental research approaches, calling for the acknowledgement of the intricate experiences of animals.

Visit www.animalfreesci.org.au for more information on animal testing, non-animal research models and more.

Follow Dr Garet Lahvis:

– garetlahvis.com

– X: x.com/GLahvis,

– Bluesky: garetlahvis.bsky.social

Wherever you get your podcasts, be sure to tune in to AFSA for more thought-provoking content!

Join Dr. Dana Kolsky on the AFSA podcast as she delves into the world of animal rights activism with Nathan McGovern from Animal Rising. Discover insights into their controversial campaigns against animal testing, particularly targeting the MBR Acres beagle breeding facility, and the legal ramifications that followed. McGovern shares his journey into activism, the power of open rescue, and the future of animal testing in the UK. This episode highlights the complexities of ethical protest, legal consequences, and the evolving landscape of animal rights advocacy.

For more information on Animal Rising and their campaigns head to https://www.animalrising.org/
Or, visit their Facebook and Instagram.

To see AFSA's campaign for mandatory rehoming of research dogs and cats click here.

For the full show transcript click here.

Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the AFSA Podcast, Dr. Dana Kolsky and Dr. Elena Schaller unravel the findings of our 2025 national opinion poll on animal testing in Australia. Commissioned by AFSA and conducted by Nexus Research, the results are both surprising and encouraging.

Dana and Elena discuss how public sentiment toward animal experimentation has evolved over the years and explores the broader implications of these attitudes. From a revealing study that surveyed 1,000 Australians, they dive deep into the public's growing awareness and demand for transparency and ethical reform in animal research.

Click here to read more on AFSA's recent opinion poll.

Read the transcript.

*Note: Re the discussion on animal rehoming in Australia, there is legislation in NSW that mandates the rehoming of dogs and cats after 3 years of use in research (the NSW Animal Research Amendment Act (Right to Release Act) 2022).