PETA India Scientist Delivers TEDx Talk that Reimagines Science Beyond Animal Cages
What if the biggest breakthrough in your scientific career wasn’t a discovery, but rather a moment of doubt?
PETA India scientist Dr. Ankita Pandey recently took the stage at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kalyani, West Bengal, for the university’s first-ever TEDx event. Addressing the crowd of faculty and students, Ankita noted that her scientific journey began like that of many young researchers.
“Every young researcher dreams of a big scientific breakthrough, right? A cure, a discovery, something. I did too,” she stated.
But her path took a transformative turn when she found herself standing over a pregnant rat, scalpel in hand, expected to kill and dissect this living being, and many more after. In that moment, as she questioned the foundation of her scientific training, she had her first real breakthrough.
“I found myself dizzy with unease and just one thought repeating in my head: If science is about saving lives, why am I starting my career by ending one?” Ankita shared.
This fracture in her conscience led Ankita to question the status quo of testing on animals. As she researched further, she learnt about the repeated failures and unreliability of using animals for research and testing.
Ankita shared with the crowd that 95 percent of all drugs that are shown to be safe and effective in tests on animals fail in human trials because they don’t work or are dangerous. Meanwhile, miracle drugs such as Penicillin and Aspirin would have been thrown out if we trusted data from testing on animals alone. Penicillin—the antibiotic that changed medicine—kills guinea pigs. Aspirin—our go-to painkiller—is toxic to dogs.
These perplexities led Ankita to discover human-relevant, non-animal methods that were faster, smarter, and more predictive of human biology. She soon realized that the problem wasn’t that scientists weren’t trying to find solutions. They were. The problem was that the system was stuck in the past.
For the past six years, Ankita has been working within a system that’s driving real change in how science is done.
“I’ve been collaborating with government regulators, policymakers, companies, nonprofits, scientists, and educators to push India’s science into the 21st century. I am out there— educating, influencing, shaping policies, supporting innovation, and ensuring that India’s science is not just modern, but humane,” Ankita stated.
“I’ve shared my story to remind you that your degree isn’t just a certificate—it’s a launchpad for purpose, innovation, and meaningful change. So start questioning. Challenge norms. Push boundaries. Think outside the box.”
Feeling Inspired? Help Promote Animal-free Science Today!
From organising free workshops, webinars, and training opportunities for scientists to improving and implementing non-animal test methods at the regulatory level, PETA India scientists work in a variety of ways to promote science that benefits all living beings. But there’s still work to do. Join PETA India in advocating for state-of-the-art science!
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