We welcome Dr Dana Kolsky from Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) to discuss animal testing, including the recently released documentary film How to Make Drugs and Feel Great about Everything.

Dana's bio:

Dana is a dedicated veterinary surgeon whose career is driven by a deep commitment to animal welfare. Since 2018, she has cared for small animals with compassion and integrity, guiding countless families through challenging and complex medical decisions. Before entering the veterinary field, Dana earned degrees in Communications and Film and Television and built a career in media and marketing.

A lifelong advocate for animal rights, she has volunteered with many animal welfare organisations, turning her passion into action. Deeply concerned by the suffering caused through animal experimentation, Dana now channels her skills and voice into her work with Animal-Free Science Advocacy — working to end animal testing and help animals not just one by one, but on a much larger scale.

How to Make Drugs and Feel Great about Everything is a new feature documentary from Keegan Kuhn, co-producer/co-director of Cowspiracy and What the Health, with director Journey Zephyr, that investigates the process of drug development in the US, uncovering the wasteful, dangerous and absurd use of animal testing in the 21st century.

     Links:

• Follow Animal-Free Science Advocacy https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/ and view the quality resources available; from the history of the anti-vivisection movement, right through to case studies, sector news and the AFSA podcast https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/resources/podcast/  
• Support AFSA’s campaign to end primate experiments https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/ending-primate-experiments/ 
• In the What You Can Do section: there is a link to a letter that can be sent to the government, calling to stop the funding of primate experiment, and a unique donation opportunity that allows supporters to name a primate https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/honour-me-with-a-name/ 
• Take action and ask your MP to support AFSA’s Federal Budget submission to see better funding of non-animal experiments. https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/fund-the-future/ 
• Global news update from April 9, 2026: From promises to implementation: the latest global moves advancing animal-free research https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/from-promises-to-implementation
•   Ever wondered where animal experiments are happening in Australia? It could be right on your doorstep. Check out this resource to learn more: https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/case-studies/on-your-doorstep/
• Other ways to support this important work include becoming a member of AFSA and making a donation https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/take-action/ 
• The film: How to Make Drugs and Feel Great about Everything official documentary film website: https://www.howtomakedrugsfilm.com

       Post-show notes kindly provided by Dana following our discussion:

•   We asked what fish are used for in research. The main uses are: as models of human development and disease; in toxicity testing as subjects for measuring harmful effects of chemicals, and in aquaculture research to expand the farming of fish for food.
•  We asked me about local breeders of animals for research. The main suppliers are Ozgene and Australian Bio Resources. The research institutions themselves breed their own animals.

       Previous AFSA interviews:

• Freedom of Species interview with Rachel Smith, CEO of AFSA, November 2024 https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/animal-free-science-advocacy-interview-rachel 
• Freedom of Species interview with Robyn Kirby, Primate Campaign Consultant, April 2025 https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/animal-free-science-advocacy-primate-experimentation-interview-robyn 

Music we played on the show:

• Beautiful Boy by John Lennon
• Fly Away by Lenny Kravtiz
• I want to break free by Queen

      Please note that unfortunately due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to include the songs in the podcast. 

      Please contact the FoS team with any feedback at FoSradio@proton.me