The comparative measurement of animal welfare: the Cumulative Pain Framework
In Quantifying Pain in Laying Hens (Ch. 1). (2021)
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Abstract
We present a novel analytical framework for the description and quantification of pain in animals. Pain is operationally and broadly defined as ‘any felt negative affective state’, thus encompassing negative affective experiences of both somatic origin (physical pain) and more related to the primary emotional systems (psychological pain). The framework translates evidence on the duration and intensity of the pain associated with each welfare challenge (e.g. diseases, injuries, deprivations, fear) into time spent in four discrete categories of pain intensity using evidence from multiple disciplines (e.g. evolutionary biology, neurosciences, pharmacology). By considering the prevalence of each challenge in the population, typical times in pain are then determined for the average population member. The method is open to scrutiny, highlights existing knowledge gaps and incorporates uncertainty about model parameters.
Recommended citation:
Alonso WJ, Schuck-Paim C. 2021. The Comparative Measurement of Animal Welfare: the Cumulative Pain Framework (reviewed version). In: Schuck-Paim C, Alonso WJ, editors. Quantifying Pain in Laying Hens. Independently published. https://tinyurl.com/bookhens