The Edge of Sentience

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 19, 2024

Abstract Can octopuses feel pain and pleasure? What about crabs, shrimps, insects, or spiders? How do we tell whether a person unresponsive after severe brain injury might be suffering? When does fetus in the womb start to have conscious experiences? Could there even rudimentary feelings miniature models of human brain, grown from stem cells? And what AI? These are questions edge sentience, they subject enormous, disorienting uncertainty. The stakes immense, neglecting risks can terrible costs. We need err on side caution, yet it’s often far clear ‘erring caution’ should mean practice. going too far? not doing enough? Edge Sentience presents comprehensive precautionary framework designed help us reach ethically sound, evidence-based decisions despite our

Language: Английский

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Sentience in decapods: an open question

Animal Sentience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(32)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Crump et al.'s framework is a powerful tool designed to assist decisions on the ethical treatment of decapod crustaceans. However, question whether decapods are sentient (i.e., they feel), remains open, perhaps indefinitely. More optimistically, we might design experiments that distinguish among different levels awareness, sometimes viewed as components sentience. We should strike balance between assuming all organisms and making unnecessary anatomical assumptions about Refining current may provide concrete insights awareness in Decapoda other taxa.

Language: Английский

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Animal sentience research: Synthesis and proposals

Animal Sentience, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(32)

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Most commentaries on our target article broadly support approach to evaluating evidence of animal sentience. In this Response, we clarify the framework's purpose and address criticisms criteria. A recurring theme is that a framework synthesise current sentience not same as an agenda for future directions in research. Although are valuable, aims evaluate existing inform welfare legislation.

Language: Английский

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Why death and aging ? All memories are imperfect

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 21 - 35

Published: Feb. 3, 2024

Language: Английский

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Insights into Decapod Sentience: Applying the General Welfare Index (GWI) for Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei—Boone, 1931) Reared in Aquaculture Grow-Out Ponds

Fishes, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(11), P. 440 - 440

Published: Oct. 29, 2024

The rapid growth of shrimp farming, particularly Penaeus vannamei, accounts for about 80% the global production farmed and involves cultivation approximately 383 to 977 billion individuals annually, which highlights urgent need address ethical technical implications raising potentially sentient beings. This study builds on state-of-the-art assessment sentience, consciousness, stress, distress, nociception, pain perception, welfare adapt General Welfare Index (GWI) shrimp. GWI is a quantitative index developed by our research group measure degree in aquaculture, it has been previously applied grass carp tilapia. Using PRISMA methodology creation hypothetical farm, GWI, with 31 specific measurable indicators across various domains, adapted P. offering comprehensive framework. inclusion promises improve living conditions alignment legislation adopted decapods’ sentience contemporary scientific advances.

Language: Английский

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The Concept of Sentience

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 23 - 42

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Sentience has broader and narrower senses. In a broad sense, it refers to any capacity for conscious experience. Conscious experience here ‘phenomenal consciousness’, the idea that there is ‘something it’s like’ be you. have valenced experiences: experiences feel bad or good subject, such as of pain pleasure. A definition sentience can common ground, despite continuing disagreement about nature valence. We hope current definitions consciousness’ will superseded by more informative successors, but this must await much theoretical consensus than currently exists. Valence, meanwhile, one two major dimensions, along with arousal, structure our affective experiences, matters most from an ethical point view.

Language: Английский

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Fetuses and Embryos

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 192 - 215

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract In the 1980s, growing public awareness that anaesthesia was not routinely being used on newborn babies during surgery led to a successful campaign change clinical practice, vindicated by subsequent evidence. The case shows value of precautionary thinking and subjecting norms scrutiny. When we turn fetuses, there is sometimes concern recognizing fetal sentience may be incompatible with also right abortion, but no incompatibility. We should recognize human fetuses as candidates from start second trimester. Future evidence could move threshold for candidature, it always align earliest scientifically credible, evidence-based estimate. Clinical in this area need formulated appropriately inclusive processes, these processes give appropriate weight voices women. Research embryos raises different set issues. ‘14-day rule’ has represented compromise between deeply conflicting values, conflict never been satisfactorily resolved.

Language: Английский

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Debating Proportionality

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 154 - 170

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract How could a citizens’ panel reach an informed judgement about proportionality? This chapter describes possible procedure (intended as realistic, feasible ideal) based on pragmatic analysis of proportionality. The is presented with shortlist options which stakeholders have been openly consulted. To each policy option, the applies four tests in sequence: permissibility-in-principle, adequacy, reasonable necessity, and consistency. Proposals that fail test are set aside. pass all ‘PARC tests’ judged proportionate. PARC induce division labour between its expert advisers. At stage, advisers provide on-demand input regarding likely consequences different options, but it falls to ordinary citizens debate central evaluative questions. These questions can be easily understood do not require arbitrating scientific disagreements. Although government ideal implementing agent for such process, other organizations conduct similar exercises.

Language: Английский

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Frontiers of Proportionality

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 285 - 296

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Taking invertebrate welfare seriously involves proposing and debating steps that may be proportionate (permissible-in-principle, adequate, non-excessive, consistent) in relation to specific risks. The growing interest invertebrates as potentially sustainable protein sources underlines the need for these debates. It would plausibly set up a licensing scheme requires companies farming sentience candidates investigation priorities fund creation (by independent experts) of codes good practice, where none yet exists. There is one important exception, namely octopus farming. very unlikely could ever meet reasonable expectations regarding animal welfare, so it ban outright. Our current state knowledge makes difficult confident slaughter humane or stunning effective. easier about what inhumane. We should not use live boiling without prior decapods insects, since this method needlessly risks extending intensifying suffering associated with dying.

Language: Английский

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Stepping Back

Oxford University Press eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 332 - 334

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract This chapter offers brief concluding remarks, calling on society to prepare for the (perhaps imminent) arrival of artificial sentience candidates by engaging more closely with that already surround us in animal kingdom.

Language: Английский

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