Animal-Free Science Advocacy

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). 

In this engaging episode of the AFSA Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Lawrence Hansen, a distinguished neuropathologist and advocate for animal-free research. We delve deep into the issues of animal experimentation in neuroscience research, addressing some of the ethical and scientific implications. The episode highlights how outdated methodologies persist despite advancements in human-relevant research techniques, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in scientific research practices. 

Dr. Hansen outlines the challenges inherent in studying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s with animal models, pointing out that these models fall short of replicating the human condition. He passionately argues for a shift towards human-based research applications that show promising advancements and efficacy over traditional animal testing methods. The discussion also uncovers systemic issues in scientific communities and funding bodies that sustain outdated practices, highlighting ethical concerns and potential pathways for advocacy and change. 

*Note: The first two questions include quite scientific explanations—but don’t worry, the conversation quickly opens up into broader ethical issues, so we encourage all listeners (even those without a science background) to stay tuned!

For more info visit AFSA. 
Click here to read more about primate experimentation in Australia.

Read the transcript here.

In this episode of the AFSA Podcast, we speak with Dr. Faraz Harsini, a leading voice in animal rights and biomedical engineering. The conversation dives deep into Dr. Harsini's inspiring journey from an omnivorous upbringing in Iran to founding Allied Scholars for Animal Protection and leading the college campus movement toward veganism. 

Key discussions revolve around the importance of educating young minds on animal use and the interconnectedness of animal rights with broader societal issues such as climate change and public health. Dr. Harsini shares his insights on the inefficacies of animal testing, revealing its limitations and highlighting the potential of non-animal methods (NAMs) to revolutionize scientific research.

His candid reflections on the challenges he overcame in reconciling personal and cultural beliefs with his current advocacy work offer listeners a unique perspective into the moral urgency of veganism and animal rights.

Read the episode transcript here. 

If you would like to support Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP), or if you're a student interested in starting a chapter, visit their website to learn how you can get involved!

Connect with Dr. Harsini:

This episode of the AFSA podcast features Dr. Susi Seibt, an expert in microfluidics and science communication. Dr. Susi walks us through the revolutionary advancements in non-animal research methods (NAMs) and their applications in medical research and drug development. Her discussion provides a glimpse into a future where research may no longer require animal testing.

In the conversation, Dr. Susi elaborates on innovative techniques such as microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip technologies. The conversation covers the strengths and limitations of these technologies, their implementation in personalized medicine, and the global movement towards reducing animal experimentation. Investing in NAMs not only promotes ethical scientific practices but also paves the way for more accurate and human-relevant data.

Click here for more information on NAMs.

To hear more from Dr. Susi visit:
www.shelium.net

https://www.youtube.com/@shelium

TikTok: @shelium.science

Instagram: @shelium.science

Read the podcast episode transcript here. 

In this episode, Rachel welcomes Paula Wallace, Founder and Director of the Liberty Foundation Australia to discuss the inspiring mission of her organisation. Liberty Foundation is at the forefront of creating a viable transition for domestic animals from research facilities into loving homes. Tune in as Paula unfolds the foundation’s progress, challenges, and future aspirations, including the exciting opening of a rehoming centre on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

View videos of the happy endings for adopted animals thanks to the Liberty Foundation on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Nicole Groch, Australian Programs Manager at Cruelty Free International and a vegan hair and makeup artist, shares insights on ending animal testing globally, the rigorous Leaping Bunny certification process, and the evolution of cruelty-free and vegan products. She discusses the transformative impact of major Australian brands like Kmart and Sukin committing to cruelty-free practices. Nicole’s personal and professional journey highlights the power of consumer choices in driving industry change, and offers practical tips for identifying genuinely cruelty-free products. Tune in to learn how your choices can support a cruelty-free future.

Search for Cruelty free products | Cruelty Free International

Nicole Groch Cruelty Free, Vegan Hair & Makeup

Andrew Costello, Strategic Consultant to the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) discusses the benefits of non-animal surgical training methods and outlines IMRA's world-leading training programs and high-fidelity synthetic models.

Find out more about IMRA on their website.
Read AFSA's web resource on surgical training.

Maddie holds a master’s degree in Humane Education and has worked in animal protection for over a decade. During her undergraduate education, Maddie worked for two years at UW-Madison’s Harlow Primate Research Laboratory and was later diagnosed with PTSD as a result. Maddie discusses her experiences and the organisation she has co-founded, Justify.  Maddie hopes Justify will establish greater transparency in the animal research industry and become the community she wishes she had when she left the primate lab in 2013.