UK True Crime Podcast Doing The Right Thing : Episode 450
Jun 30, 2025
Dive into the complex journey of Joseph Harris, an animal rights activist torn between peaceful campaigning and extreme actions. Explore the ethical dilemmas of animal testing through personal anecdotes, examining the fine line between justice and crime. Discover the controversial legacy of a research organization that sparked public outrage and the emotional turmoil faced by activists. Harris's prison reflections offer a unique perspective on morality, activism, and the unexpected connections formed during his time behind bars.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Activism and Convictions
- Joseph Harris grew up loving nature and was disturbed by animal testing from a young age.
- At university he joined hunt saboteurs to legally disrupt fox hunting, reflecting his early activism.
PhD Without Animal Testing
- Joseph landed a cancer research PhD despite refusing to do animal testing.
- He worked studying drugs not directly testing animals, balancing his ethics and career.
Moral Conflict in Research
- Despite avoiding direct animal testing, Joseph felt complicit and uncomfortable with his indirect role.
- He questioned whether animal deaths in research were truly justified by outcomes.