Is animal experimentation torture?

'Why They Win'

If it’s already been shown that many animals are self-aware, can recognise their own reflection in the mirror, have a sense of their past, their present and their future, then isn’t experimenting on them actually a form of torture? In which case, how can it ever be ethically right? Because, actually, if you look up images on Google of animal experimentation, you’d have to have a very hard heart not to feel disturbed. And yet, getting to a definite conclusion on the issue is far more complicated than one might imagine, as this episode’s esteemed guest Professor David Favre explains. As one of the world's leading thinkers on animal rights, and author of the new book 'Respecting Animals', he’s weighed up this topic for more than three decades. So if you’re looking for an open-minded understanding on the subject beyond the binary - "It’s torture! - It’s not torture!" - Professor Favre's insights are fascinating. You can buy 'Respecting Animals' here: tinyurl.com/y8no95rj. Thank you for listening and please write your thoughts in the Comments section below on how I can improve the podcast.