Cephalopods have captivated the imaginations of marine biologists, science fiction writers, and the curious, but only recently has the general public developed a strong interest in learning more about these animals. That’s it. Part of their appeal comes from recent research that has revealed the intelligence behind their sophisticated behavior.
Now, in response to this growing awareness, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Feedback on proposed guidelines that, if passed, would provide various protections to cephalopods studied in laboratory settings.
This announcement builds on years of research into pain sensation, intelligence, and adaptation in cephalopods; letter Appealed to members of Congress about the humane treatment of cephalopods.
These guidelines, if enacted, would redefine the meaning of “animal” in laboratory research regulations and would have different implications for invertebrates. protection For the first time in US history. This protection covers all cephalopod species, including octopuses, cuttlefish, and cuttlefish. If approved, the United States would join a growing list of countries that have ethical guidelines for cephalopod research, including New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.
Growing public interest in octopuses
It’s easy to be fascinated by octopuses and squid, with their extended tentacles and fascinating color changes.Many cephalopod behaviors are difficult to avoid personifyBecause it is familiar and relatable to the audience. This may be why hundreds of books and thousands of scientific papers have been dedicated to understanding these animals further.
A trending series with a cephalopod theme from the 2010s to the present. Book Lined up on the shelves, including octopus soul; Other Minds: Octopuses, the Ocean, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness; The Kraken: The curious, exciting, and slightly disturbing science of squid.giant squid; Octopus: intelligent invertebrate of the sea, To name a few examples. These books cover everything from personal interactions with cephalopods to explorations of various aspects of their amazing biology, intelligence, and consciousness.
Octopus skyrocketed in popularity in 2020 thanks to Oscar-winning Netflix documentary my octopus teacher, For the study, naturalist Craig Foster tracked and interacted with octopuses for over a year in his watery backyard in South Africa. Thanks to this film, viewers around the world watched a face-to-face interaction with a curious and playful octopus and watched her grow and adapt to her environment.
According to the Harvard University Gazette in 2021. article: “For many, it would have been the perfect antidote to the pandemic era. It was a feel-good, otherworldly escape from a horrible year.” Following the film’s huge success, others continues to tell stories about octopuses, perhaps contributing to public support for octopus conservation.
