Fish have feelings too: Expert claims creatures experience pain in the same way humans do - and should be better treated
comments
Fishing may not seem like such a relaxing sport anymore, as scientists claim to have found that fish feel pain, just like humans.
One researcher believes fish have the same intelligence as other animals and consequently, people should care more for their welfare.
Flying in the face of what is considered popular opinion, he added fish have good memories and exhibit behaviour seen in primates, such as building complicated structures and using tools.
Fishing (pictured) may not seem like such a relaxing sport anymore, as scientists have found that fish feel pain just like humans. Researchers claim that fish also have the same intelligence as other vertebrates and consequently, people should care more for their welfare
DEBATE: CAN FISH FEEL PAIN?
In 2003, scientists from Edinburgh claimed to have found the first conclusive evidence of pain perception in fish.
They discovered 58 receptors in the heads of rainbow trout responded to electric and chemical shocks.
When the scientists injected bee venom into the lips of some fish, they found they demonstrated a rocking motion - similar to that seen in mammals.
'The trout injected with the acid that were also observed to rub their lips onto the gravel in their tank...these do not appear to be reflex responses,' said Dr Lynne Sneddon.
She added the study 'fulfils the criteria for animal pain.
But plenty of scientists disagree and argue that just because fish respond to a stimulus, they do not necessarily compute it as pain.
Some argue that fish simply do not have the neuro-physiological capacity to be aware of pain, and that their reactions are measured according to human criteria.
Last year, scientists from Wisconsin said fish do not have a brain system or enough sensory nerve receptors to experience suffering.
While fish may struggle to get free, the scientists say this does not mean they are in pain.
Instead, they show 'little effect' from injuries and toxins that would leave humans in agony.
Associate Professor Culum Brown of Macquarie University in Australia, said fish have very good memories, live in complex social communities where they keep track of individuals and can learn from one another.
They develop cultural traditions and can even recognise themselves and others.
They also show signs of Machiavellian intelligence, such as cooperation and reconciliation, according to the study, which focuses on bony fish and is published in Springer's journal Animal Cognition.
Professor Brown said the primary senses of the fish are 'just as good' and in some cases better than that of humans.
The level of mental complexity that fish display is on a par with most other vertebrates, while there is mounting evidence that they can feel pain in a manner similar to humans.
While the brains of fish differ from other vertebrates, fish have many comparable structures that perform similar functions.
Professor Brown believes that if some comparable animals are sentient, fish must be considered to be so, too, and therefore their welfare needs should be reconsidered.
'Although scientists cannot provide a definitive answer on the level of consciousness for any non-human vertebrate, the extensive evidence of fish behavioural and cognitive sophistication and pain perception suggests that best practice would be to lend fish the same level of protection as any other vertebrate,' he said.
The level of mental complexity that fish display is on a par with most other vertebrates, while there is mounting evidence that they can feel pain in a manner similar to humans. Fishing hooks are pictured
An expert said that fish (pictured) have very good memories, live in complex social communities where they keep track of individuals and can learn from one another. They develop cultural traditions and can even recognise themselves and others
'We should therefore include fish in our 'moral circle' and afford them the protection they deserve.'
While the implications of the research could have a big impact on the fishing industry, fish are also used in a similar way to mice in scientific research, so lab conditions would have to be reviewed too.
Professor Brown thinks there is little public concern about the creatures' wellbeing as many people only think of the animals as pets or food, and do not give them credit for being conscious and intelligent.
AND CRAYFISH SUFFER FROM STRESS AND ANXIETY
Another study has shown that crayfish (pictured) feel stress in the same way humans do, and can be similarly calmed down using drugs
Crayfish feel stress in the same way humans do, and can be similarly calmed down using drugs, a study has shown.
This is the first time that clear signs of anxiety - normally associated with more complex forms of life - has been observed in a spineless species.
In a study released last week, researchers explained that anxiety is different from fear, which is an emotion that even the simplest animals show.
They built a specially-constructed maze to put the lobster-like creatures under pressure and found that their levels of brain chemical serotonin rose.
Injecting crayfish with the neurotransmitter was enough to make them anxious, but they could be calmed down with another drug called Chlordiazepoxide (CDZ) which is also used to treat humans.
Dr Daniel Cattaert, from the University of Bordeaux said: '[Our results] emphasise the ability of an invertebrate to exhibit a state that is similar to a mammalian emotion.'
Put the internet to work for you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment