In this episode of the AFSA Podcast, Dr. Dana Kolsky and Dr. Elena Schaller unravel the findings of a national opinion poll independently commissioned by AFSA in 2025 on animal testing in Australia. The pair discusses 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.

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 The episode highlights how outdated methodologies persist despite advancements in human-relevant research techniques, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in scientific research practices.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 The discussion also uncovers systemic issues in scientific communities and funding bodies that sustain outdated practices, highlighting ethical concerns and potential pathways for advocacy and change.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!

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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!

• www.alliedscholars.org/
• www.instagram.com/alliedscholars

Connect with Dr. Harsini:

• https://www.instagram.com/dr_faraz_harsini/
• https://www.youtube.com/c/DrFarazHarsini