Growing interest in spider silk as a sustainable material raises questions about the welfare of spiders in commercial production systems.
The welfare status of spiders is uncertain. They have simple nervous systems compared to vertebrates, but nociceptors and avoidance behaviour have been documented. Commercial spider silk production requires immobilising spiders during reeling, which causes visible distress responses. The development of recombinant silk proteins from bacteria and yeast offers a cruelty-free alternative. Until spider sentience is better understood, precautionary welfare consideration is appropriate.