Can we scientifically prove what an animal feels?
In short: For decades, the debate over animal consciousness has been mired in philosophy. But Oxford biologist Marian Dawkins has pioneered a way to move past speculation, using preference tests and automated technology to quantify the needs, wants, and even the economic benefits of animal welfare.
Marian Dawkins, a professor of ethology at the University of Oxford, has fundamentally reshaped how we approach animal welfare. Rather than relying on unprovable claims about consciousness, Dawkins proposes a more pragmatic, scientific framework: assessing welfare by determining the needs and wants of animals. She argues that even if science cannot definitively establish consciousness, we can use preference tests and consumer demand studies to identify what animals are highly motivated to seek, such as social contact or space.
Her research has historically focused on the physical restrictions of intensive farming. In 1989, Dawkins used overhead filming to demonstrate that common behaviors, such as wing-stretching, were significantly restricted in battery cages. Today, her work has shifted toward automation. She is currently leading the development of the rdcn system, which allows farmers to monitor broiler chicken welfare using smartphone technology to track movement patterns.
Crucially, Dawkins has worked to show that welfare improvements can align with human economic interests. Recent studies of 34 commercial flocks of Cobb broilers suggest that increased flock activity—measured via smart camera technology—is not a financial burden. In fact, more active flocks tended to have a more efficient Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). This efficiency may be driven by a reduction in mortality, as higher activity levels correlated with lower death rates. By making welfare assessments objective and automated, Dawkins aims to make the case for animal emotions as scientifically watertight as possible.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Increased activity in broiler chickens is associated with better feed conversion.
- Also: Marian Dawkins
- Also: Professor Marian Dawkins CBE FRS | Royal Society Fellow
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