Interviewing Dr. Faraz Harsini, Founder of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection
The Middle East Vegan Society had the chance to interview Dr. Faraz Harsini, the founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP), a nonprofit that supports, unites, educates, and empowers students to fight human and non-human oppression in universities in a systemic, sustainable, and effective manner.
ʺDr. Harsini is a highly accomplished individual who has been a vegan and animal advocate for over a decade. He holds a BSc in chemical engineering, an MSc in biotechnology, and a Ph.D. in Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics. Dr. Faraz has received numerous awards and recognition for his scientific and advocacy achievements, including NIH Student Leadership awards. He is the founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection. He organizes Anonymous for the Voiceless in Austin and Houston. He is also a mentor at Challenge 22 and Animal Activism Mentorship. Dr. Faraz collaborates with organizations such as PETA and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to advocate for animal rights and alternatives to animal testing. He is also a passionate human rights activist, who shares his experiences of various forms of oppression, including being an immigrant and a member of the LGBTQ community. ʺ
Dr. Harsini, it is a pleasure to have you with us today. Before we begin, can you give us a brief overview of yourself?
In college, studying global environmental issues such as air and water pollution was my utmost interest. This led me to major in chemical engineering and focus on biofuel production. During my undergraduate studies in chemical engineering at the University of Tehran in Iran, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a children's hospital. There, I played music for cancer patients. This experience deeply impacted me and led me to realize that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
As a result, I decided to pursue graduate studies in the biomedical sciences. I eventually obtained my MSc in biotechnology and cancer research and my Ph.D. in cell physiology and molecular biophysics.
After completing my Ph.D., I had the opportunity to join prestigious postdoctoral programs at institutions such as MIT. However, I chose to work with pharmaceutical companies in order to accelerate clinical research and drug development for cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Through my education and professional experience, I have been exposed to unnecessary and cruel animal testing in both academic and pharmaceutical settings.
I work as a senior scientist at the Good Food Institute. In this position, I utilize my background in chemical engineering and biomedical sciences to advance the commercialization of cultivated meat and alternative proteins. I am also the founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP). A nonprofit that supports, unites, educates, and empowers students to fight human and non-human oppression in universities in a systemic, sustainable, and effective manner!
What made you go vegan?
Growing up in Iran, the concept of veganism was foreign to me and I only knew of vegetarianism as something trendy or unconventional. I was also misinformed and conditioned to believe I needed animal products to be healthy. I also did not give the suffering of the animals I used to eat any consideration.
However, shortly after college, I became involved in an initiative to discourage the purchase of goldfish for the Persian New Year. Despite not being a vegetarian and having no knowledge of animal rights, I felt a strong sense of compassion for the millions of fish that were being mistreated and discarded. When I asked a friend to help me design a poster for the campaign, she refused. She pointed out that my concern about fish was inconsistent with my consumption of other animal products. At the time, I was angry and dismissive, believing that my love of meat would prevent me from ever giving it up.
Her words really resonated with me and I started cutting back on my meat consumption, eventually transitioning to a vegetarian diet. But it wasn't until I stumbled upon a video exposing the cruel practices of the egg and dairy industries that I fully committed to a vegan lifestyle. This was to prevent any more unnecessary suffering. I came to the realization that my actions and choices have a significant impact on animals, the environment, and other people. I also came to the realization that the only way to align my values and beliefs was to eliminate all animal products from my diet.
What pushes you to be active in the vegan community?
In the face of injustice, silence is not an option. It is our moral responsibility to speak up and take action. I firmly believe that, from a rational, mathematical, statistical, and ethical standpoint, there are few issues as pressing and consequential as animal consumption. The scale of suffering, the number of animals affected, and the extent of the problem are so vast that it can be difficult for us to fully comprehend.
Additionally, the negative environmental and health effects of animal consumption threaten the well-being of all life on Earth, including humans. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
To name just a few examples, antibiotic resistance is a rapidly growing concern in the medical field, as the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens could cripple our healthcare system. Animal consumption, both in industrial and small-scale settings, whether Halal, Kosher, or not, contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of zoonotic diseases, which can lead to pandemics. Other examples include the significant role of animal consumption in global malnutrition, food and water scarcity, deforestation, climate change, and more.
It's my duty as a scientist who has studied these issues for a long time to raise awareness and advocate for change. This will help protect animals, human health, and the environment.
Veganism is a holistic approach that encompasses everything I am passionate about: animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and public health and medicine. It is a powerful solution that addresses multiple issues simultaneously, making it one of the most impactful movements in the world.
By advocating for and promoting veganism, I am able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals, the health of our planet, and the well-being of humanity. It's a way to save the greatest number of lives and reduce suffering on a global scale.
Being both in the medical field and an activist for animal rights, what do you think is essential when it comes to the two?
The medical industry and animal rights are closely intertwined and addressing one can have a positive impact on the other. Consuming animal products is a major contributor to many leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. As a cancer researcher, my goal was to lower cancer mortality. However, I was shocked to learn that 40% of cancers are preventable and we're not doing anything about it! The majority of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes cases are also preventable. A plant-based diet has been proven to significantly reduce or even prevent the risk of these diseases and in some cases, even reverse their progression. Additionally, 70-80% of antibiotics in the world are fed to animals, contributing to the global threat of antibiotic resistance. Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the most effective measures to improve public safety and individual health.
Animal rights and biomedical research intersect in the area of animal testing. It's crucial that we move away from animal testing and embrace alternative methods that are more reliable, and efficient. With advances in technology, animal testing is becoming obsolete. The FDA recently removed the mandatory requirement for animal testing in December 2022, as animal testing is often inaccurate, time-consuming, and misleading, and raises serious ethical concerns. Instead, we should focus on using methods such as in-vitro, computer modeling, AI, simulation, human volunteer studies, and micro-dosing, which have been proven to be more reliable, human-related, and ethical.
Speaking of medication and prevention, what is your view on animal testing? Is it mandatory to test on animals?
Animal testing may provide certain insights, but it is crucial to understand that these results may not always be accurate or applicable to humans. Differences in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and immunity between species mean that what may be safe and effective for one animal may not be the same for another, including humans. For example, testing chocolate safety on dogs does not give us information about its safety for humans. Fortunately, there are more advanced, faster, and more human-relevant alternatives to animal testing. These include organ-on-a-chip technology, organoids, human cadavers, human volunteers, micro-dosing, computer modeling, simulation, and in-vitro testing. These methods, used in combination, can provide a better understanding of drug safety without relying on animal testing. Many countries have already banned cosmetic animal testing, yet the cosmetics on the market today are just as safe as they were before, thanks to these advanced testing methods. It's critical to note that animal testing is not the only way and has numerous drawbacks, so relying on these alternatives is a better and more ethical choice.
To finish our interview, what would your message be to your fellow colleagues and the medical community in general?
As scientists, it's essential that we approach our work with an open mind, always willing to consider the latest ideas and adapt accordingly. In regards to animal consumption, the scientific evidence is clear that a plant-based diet can be healthy, and that it can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. We got into the medical field to help people! If that’s really the goal, we can’t be ignoring a plant-based diet as one of the most effective solutions to prevent countless deaths in addition to preventing global disasters like antibiotic resistance and climate change that will impact every one of us!
Similarly, when it comes to animal testing, it's wise to recognize that this method is outdated and no longer necessary. This is in light of technological advancements and alternative methods that are available today. We have come a long way in the past century, from relying on horses for transportation to landing on the moon. In the same way, if we continue to cling to outdated and harmful methods such as animal testing, we will miss out on the opportunities that the latest and most advanced technologies can provide. It's our responsibility as scientists to stay informed and be willing to change our practices in light of updated information and advancements in technology. It's time for us to let go of the past and invest in alternatives that are more reliable, efficient, and ethical. This is true whether it’s about our food system or our medical system! In the end, they are interconnected.