D.G.M. Wood-Gush Memorial lecture: Why has there not been more progress in animal welfare research?
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1997 |
Authors: |
M. S. Dawkins |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, consciousness, social recognition |
ISBN: |
0168-1591 |
Abstract:
Four possible answers to the question of why there has not been more progress in animal welfare research are discussed: (1) that the subject matter might be beyond the scope of scientific enquiry; (2) that the commonly employed approaches and methodologies might be faulty; (3) that the approaches are sound but that more time is needed to obtain valid results; (4) that valid results have been obtained but not disseminated to the public or politicians. Of these, (3) has the most credibility. Applied ethologists should not be [`]bullied’ into giving oversimplified answers to difficult questions. Some recent studies on social recognition in hens are described to illustrate the importance of a broad-based ethological approach.