A Novel Proposal for the Definition of Pain

IASP’s definition of pain is overly human-centric and fails to fully encompass its evolutionary, cognitive, and affective dimensions. It overlooks key aspects of this sensory phenomenon, such as its inherent consciousness, its independence from learning, and its evolutionary role extending beyond mere tissue injury. In an effort to address these shortcomings, we propose the following alternative definition

Introducing Pain-Compare: A Tool for Visualizing Welfare Loss Estimates in Animals

As a part of our ongoing efforts to quantify animal welfare and enable its incorporation into policy-making, economic and environmental analyses, we have recently launched the first of a series of visualization tools: Pain-Compare. This tool, inspired by the Global Burden of Disease Compare tool, invites users to compare the estimated time in pain an individual endures as a result of welfare challenges experienced. The tool shows multiple challenges experienced under different circumstances, production conditions and by different species.

Cognitive Bias Tests: Optimism, Pessimism, or a Matter of Risk Tolerance?

This article delves into the world of animal emotions, addressing traditional interpretations of ‘optimistic’ and ‘pessimistic’ choices in judgment bias tests. It discusses whether these choices should be interpreted as directly reflecting an animal’s emotional state, as they may emerge from an animal’s tolerance for risk and propensity for exploration. It suggests that terms like ‘novelty-seeking’ or ‘risk-seeking’ are more appropriate (affectively neutral) descriptors of an animal’s seemingly optimistic choices.