animal wellbeing

An article published in the journal Newton, part of the Cell Press group, has studied the optics of chicken eggs using a noninvasive technique known as time-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy. This technique is used to determine the absorption and scattering properties of the material based on the distribution of photons within the shell. The study shows that photons bounce off the shell numerous times inside the egg, making it possible to inspect its interior, determine whether the eggs have been fertilized, and detect the sex of the embryos. According to the research team, this technique could prevent the current culling of millions of male chicks at birth—since they do not lay eggs and are not profitable for the industry.

An international team with Spanish participation has analyzed the factors that influence our anthropomorphization of animals - the tendency to attribute human traits to them. According to a questionnaire completed by 741 people from five countries, including Spain, factors such as educational level, religion, urban-type experiences or contact with animals affect this tendency, which in turn can influence conservation programs. According to the authors, "species that appear more human-like or exhibit human-like behaviors tend to receive more attention, funding and public support. This preference may overshadow the ecological importance of less charismatic species." The results are published in the journal iScience.  

The seventh Annual Report of the COSCE Transparency Agreement, prepared by the European Animal Research Association, which analyses transparency in the use of animals for scientific experimentation in Spain in 2023, was presented today. According to the document, transparency is consolidated among the signatory institutions -168 in 2024- and all of them publish a statement on their websites on the use of animals. Public mention of the number and species used stands at 47%, compared to 38% the previous year.

The impact of animal abandonment goes beyond the pets who suffer it, it is a public health, safety and funding issue as well. Although there have been some improvements in recent years, the experts consulted agree that the system continues to fail. In this guide, we analyze what has changed, who does this issue affect, and what must be improved.

A research group has developed an innovative system that combines virtual reality and a brain-machine interface to probe the inner thoughts of rats. The results of their research, published in Science, suggest that, much like humans, animals can think about places and objects that are not right in front of them, using their thoughts to imagine walking to a location or moving a remote object to a specific point.

The draft Animal Protection Bill has just been approved by the Council of Ministers, awaiting ratification in Congress. The authors consider that the text includes improvements compared to its first version, but consider that it still contains negative aspects.

The variety of current dog breeds is the product of two centuries of human intervention, which has often selected characters for extravagance or supposed aesthetics. Lluís Montoliu, president of the CSIC Ethics Committee until last February, recalls that 15% of current dog breeds have some sort of more or less serious congenital disease.