The neuroscience of animal pain has advanced dramatically in recent decades. Understanding what we know — and how confidently — strengthens the welfare case and informs priorities.
The scientific understanding of animal pain has moved decisively in the direction of recognising broader pain experience across the animal kingdom. What was once dismissed as mere reflex in fish and invertebrates is now understood as behaviourally and neurologically consistent with genuine pain experience. The welfare implications are profound: if crustaceans and fish experience pain, the welfare considerations for fisheries, aquaculture, and pest control expand enormously. Advocates who engage with pain science can make stronger evidence-based arguments for welfare consideration of species previously excluded from moral consideration.