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The welfare-behaviour relationship
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 22 (1989) 93-94
93
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., A m s t e r d a m - - P r i n t e d in T h e N e t h e r l a n d s
Editorial
The W e l f a r e - B e h a v i o u r Relationship A.F. FRASER
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland AIB 3V6 (Canada)
An intimate relationship is widely seen to exist between the subjects of Animal Welfare and Applied Animal Ethology. They evidently draw strength and relevance from each other in a natural and equitable fashion which suggests that their relationship is symbiotic. While this is tacitly acknowledged in the contemporary debates which make up the substance of most symposia on the two subjects, remarkably little of this was in refereed print until recently. When the birth of Animal Bioethics was recorded in a Special Issue of this journal, Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare were viewed as the parents. A decision was subsequently taken to countenance the alliance in a further Special Issue which would underline the relationship. It is not suggested that all adherents to the discipline of Applied Ethology subscribe to the belief that this subject necessarily embraces Welfare. Varying philosophies, having such complexions as pure science and pure materialism, prevent a unanimous opinion on this. Again, it has to be admitted that Welfare does not have to be in bed with Applied Ethology on certain hard-line issues such as slaughter and experimentation (vivisection). Yet the great body of opinion, which may be seen as the central one, does not dispute that Behaviour and Welfare are now married to each other. Animal Bioethics can thus be seen as a legitimate issue, a status not always enjoyed by either of the parents; they grew up in an atmosphere of periodic animosity created by a few jealous relatives who may have resented, for a while, the brats who quickly commandeered public conscience on so many topical animal concerns. Thus, we now have a family of propitious disciplines for animals and this publication celebrates the fact for various reasons. Chief among these is the assurance that this journal, as it endured alone, lived up to its obligation to create a body of scientific knowledge of practical relevance and of real purpose in regard to animal use; it is the latter which is the focus of attention within the family in question. As the focus improves, so the various objects of optimal, humane and ethical practice become clarified. Here we surely have the common goal which is the heart of the relationship in question. It has been said before, and deserves to be stated again, that Animal Welfare is a major outlet for the science of Applied Ethology. Other consumers of this subject do exist, of course; these include animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and avenues of psychological and zoological pursuits. Even they, in turn,
94 tend to put applied ethological information into use in accord with Welfare's rational agenda - - even when the declared purpose is productivity. If Applied Ethology has done nothing else, it has shown that production and welfare are not mutually exclusive, as was once feared. Quite simply, we must now admit that we should know what our animals do, and why they do it, if we are to claim an understanding of them which is proper in all respects. Being an applied science, our subject does not have the luxury of existing for itself. It must relate to problems and offer enlightenment where realistic questions lie unanswered. It is in Welfare, perhaps more than in any other problematic area, that such questions lie in abundance for Applied Ethology to address. This is one of the chief reasons why the subject has developed to its maturity, in pace with its age. Outside of Technology, few academic disciplines can make such a claim today. Applied Animal Ethology has a debt to Welfare almost as great as that in the other direction. Their marriage is proper and does not really need a detailed analysis or deserve excessive scrutiny to earn recognition and respect. Nevertheless, the bonds of the relationship invite open appreciation. This is the purpose of this Special Issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
93
Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., A m s t e r d a m - - P r i n t e d in T h e N e t h e r l a n d s
Editorial
The W e l f a r e - B e h a v i o u r Relationship A.F. FRASER
Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland AIB 3V6 (Canada)
An intimate relationship is widely seen to exist between the subjects of Animal Welfare and Applied Animal Ethology. They evidently draw strength and relevance from each other in a natural and equitable fashion which suggests that their relationship is symbiotic. While this is tacitly acknowledged in the contemporary debates which make up the substance of most symposia on the two subjects, remarkably little of this was in refereed print until recently. When the birth of Animal Bioethics was recorded in a Special Issue of this journal, Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare were viewed as the parents. A decision was subsequently taken to countenance the alliance in a further Special Issue which would underline the relationship. It is not suggested that all adherents to the discipline of Applied Ethology subscribe to the belief that this subject necessarily embraces Welfare. Varying philosophies, having such complexions as pure science and pure materialism, prevent a unanimous opinion on this. Again, it has to be admitted that Welfare does not have to be in bed with Applied Ethology on certain hard-line issues such as slaughter and experimentation (vivisection). Yet the great body of opinion, which may be seen as the central one, does not dispute that Behaviour and Welfare are now married to each other. Animal Bioethics can thus be seen as a legitimate issue, a status not always enjoyed by either of the parents; they grew up in an atmosphere of periodic animosity created by a few jealous relatives who may have resented, for a while, the brats who quickly commandeered public conscience on so many topical animal concerns. Thus, we now have a family of propitious disciplines for animals and this publication celebrates the fact for various reasons. Chief among these is the assurance that this journal, as it endured alone, lived up to its obligation to create a body of scientific knowledge of practical relevance and of real purpose in regard to animal use; it is the latter which is the focus of attention within the family in question. As the focus improves, so the various objects of optimal, humane and ethical practice become clarified. Here we surely have the common goal which is the heart of the relationship in question. It has been said before, and deserves to be stated again, that Animal Welfare is a major outlet for the science of Applied Ethology. Other consumers of this subject do exist, of course; these include animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and avenues of psychological and zoological pursuits. Even they, in turn,
94 tend to put applied ethological information into use in accord with Welfare's rational agenda - - even when the declared purpose is productivity. If Applied Ethology has done nothing else, it has shown that production and welfare are not mutually exclusive, as was once feared. Quite simply, we must now admit that we should know what our animals do, and why they do it, if we are to claim an understanding of them which is proper in all respects. Being an applied science, our subject does not have the luxury of existing for itself. It must relate to problems and offer enlightenment where realistic questions lie unanswered. It is in Welfare, perhaps more than in any other problematic area, that such questions lie in abundance for Applied Ethology to address. This is one of the chief reasons why the subject has developed to its maturity, in pace with its age. Outside of Technology, few academic disciplines can make such a claim today. Applied Animal Ethology has a debt to Welfare almost as great as that in the other direction. Their marriage is proper and does not really need a detailed analysis or deserve excessive scrutiny to earn recognition and respect. Nevertheless, the bonds of the relationship invite open appreciation. This is the purpose of this Special Issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science.