Invertebrates and humans: attitudes, ethics, and policy

In this contribution we will first briefly describe different ways in which invertebrates are part of our lives and how we interact with them. A special focus is the use of invertebrates in scientific research. After a review of the major fields of investigation utilizing invertebrates, we will argue that their use in research consti- tutes an interesting and inspiring case study. As an example, the relatively recent European legislation on the protection of animals in scientific procedures now contemplates cephalopods. For this reason, it appears that animal experimentation is a kind of relationship in which the awareness of welfare problems of invertebrates is relatively more advanced. This opens a series of considerations on public attitude toward invertebrates, ethical issues arising on the use of these animals in research, compared both with other kinds of invertebrate/human relationship (e.g., pest con- trol) and with the regulation of research on vertebrates, and the related legislative aspects. One question that is addressed is whether such attention for the ethical implications in the use of invertebrates in scientific research is and/or can be extended to other aspects of our relationships with these animals.