“Support Critical Research on Insect Welfare” by Bob Fischer

We’re far from certain that insects are sentient. But with over a trillion insects farmed annually, the welfare impacts are staggering if they can suffer. Unfortunately, fundamental questions about their well-being remain unexplored. This is where Arthropoda Foundation steps in, actively finding and funding the best opportunities to produce knowledge that can improve the lives of farmed insects.

Current Research Priorities

Humane Slaughter Protocols

Insects are regularly microwaved, baked, and boiled alive. If producers can stun these animals before slaughter, they can reduce significant distress. We’ve found a lab willing to develop and test electrical stunning procedures for black soldier fly larvae, with an eye to creating an inexpensive, readily implementable system that can be adopted by industry partners. ~$67,000.

Stocking Densities and Substrate Research

For many farmed insects, the quality of their lives comes down to stocking densities and the substrate in which they’re reared—which is what [...]

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Outline:

(00:38) Current Research Priorities

(00:42) Humane Slaughter Protocols

(01:11) Stocking Densities and Substrate Research

(01:48) Automated Welfare Assessment

(02:33) Funding Needs

(03:52) Want to learn more about insects?

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First published:
November 13th, 2024

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/9fuJgLik6FNtgrDAD/support-critical-research-on-insect-welfare

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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