Lisa Jones-Engel documentary explores animal testing ethics

The documentary film *Sentient* explores the life and career shift of Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, a former primatologist at the University of Washington's primate center. In 2019, Jones-Engel left her research position to become the chief scientist for PETA, driven by her opposition to using animals for drug testing.

The film traces the journey of macaques from breeding farms in Asia to laboratories in the United States and the United Kingdom. It highlights the scale of the industry, noting that approximately 40,000 macaques are sent to the US annually, and observes that only about 5% of drugs tested on animals are successful in humans.

Directed by Tony Jones, the documentary features footage recorded by former laboratory workers. The film focuses on the relationships between the animals and their caretakers, depicting the emotional bond between staff and the primates they manage.