Project Nim, a film which teaches us about ourselves.

Watched.     Project Nim. 

Reflected. 

So glad that I am catching films from the Edinburgh International Film Festival. 2 films thus far and it has been great. Would be going for more. 


How far do we go, in the name of science? In the Q&A session after the film, a scientist from University of Glasgow reminded us that we have to take the happenings in context, that it was the 70s, when these events happened. However, Bob, the zoologist who was Nim's lifelong friend, also revealed that there are still many chimps out there being used for scientific ventures. Bob didn't really suggest if conditions were still as controversial as depicted in the film but the fact that one of the scientist who was involved in such work has come to be his partner in the work of rescuing chimps and monkeys from "abuse" in science labs is telling. 


How far do we go, in the name of science? If we don't test the drugs and vaccines on some living things, who or what do we test it on? It's an ethical question that never die. 


However, what's more interesting in my reflection is the personal pursuit of some key figure(s) in the film. What was the true motivation in that project?