From Mice to Moths: Practical Reasons for Considering Animal Welfare in Research

Considering animal welfare in research is an important part of ethical professional practice. However, not all animal species are covered by welfare legislation, resulting in less consideration for currently unprotected groups. While ethical arguments for protecting animal welfare are commonly debated, practical arguments have received less attention. Here, we review literature from vertebrate laboratory animals, demonstrating practical benefits to welfare consideration by highlighting the links between animal welfare and (1) improving scientific outcomes; (2) maintaining public support for research; and (3) reducing occupational stress. We then extend these practical arguments to the invertebrate research context. Using mammals as the focal taxa for vertebrates and insects as the focal taxa for invertebrates, we show how research suggests that researchers working with some invertebrate taxa may similarly benefit from the consideration of animal welfare. Together, this literature provides evidence that considering animal welfare may facilitate scientific progress across taxa. We close with practical guidance for researchers working with plausibly sentient taxa on how to incorporate animal welfare considerations into their scientific practice.