In 2005, Time magazine named Peter Singer one of the 100 most influential people in the world. But after showing up on ABC Television’s Q&A, maybe he might have wished he hadn’t.

All I asked was: “Mr Singer, in the past you attracted negative attention for your support of euthanising physically or mentally disabled babies, if that is also the decision of the parents. Is this still your view, and doesn't it basically encourage people with disabilities to be less valued and accepted by human society?”

Peter Singer’s credibility continued to take a pounding when he saw no wrong if a human woman gave oral sex to her pet male dog. This was his response to a question posed to him: “in your 2001 article ‘Heavy Petting’ you state that mutually satisfying sexual activities between humans and animals can develop. Please explain?”

Interestingly, he walked into the studio with applause like a rockstar, but left the studio probably a little less human.

Watch this very interesting episode via the link below. And you can also follow the on-line discussion thread via the other link below as well.

Tonight’s ABC Television’s Q&A program featured Peter Singer, David Marr (journalist and commentator), Peter Garrett (Federal Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts), Helen Coonan (Liberal Senator and former communications minister) and Jayashri Kulkarni (Head of Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre).

Video of Q&A episode broadcast on 14 June 2010: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s2920673.htm?clip=rtmp://cp44823.edgefcs.net/ondemand/flash/tv/streams/qanda/qanda_2010_ep19.flv

On-line discussion thread: http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=114&m=90916&ps=50&dm=2