The nature and extent of scientific experiments in ancient Greek and Roman science remains a disputed subject. Analyzing reports of animal experiments that were conducted by Greek biologists and doctors from the fourth century B.C. to the second century A.D., the lecture focussed on some of the more controversial aspects of this subject. It discussed the motivations of the ancient scientists, the purpose of their experiments, their methods and findings, and their selection of indigenous and exotic animal species for use in the experiments. It also looked at significant changes in the social conditions of the experiments, particularly the move from a long tradition of conducting such experiments in private to performing them in public space, often in front of a sizeable audience. Finally, the lecture also explored the limits, ethical and otherwise, of animal experiments in ancient times.

An introduction from a contemporary medical perspective was given by Prof. Dr. Hanfried Helmchen, member of the Bioscience/Medical Class of the BBAW and former managing director of the Psychiatric Clinic and Polyclinic of the Free University of Berlin.

The Schering Stiftung supported the CMG Lecture because of its objectives to foster public understanding of science and research and to promote the dialogue between science and society.