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A Review Dr. Richard G. Petty Though clearly written with a view to influencing public opinion, this is a profoundly interesting book. Although not long, it is packed with information to support the contention that animals — and not just mammals — are as capable of feeling pain, pleasure and joy as are humans. After spending a great deal of time with animals, I am in little doubt that Jonathan Balcombe's fundamental premise is quite correct. The scientific literature confirms that mammals experience fear, anxiety and pain. Not just a set of reflexes that look like or are interpreted as fear or anxiety, but the real thing. Several governments have been sufficiently impressed by this evidence to enact laws to protect the welfare of many species. It should surprise nobody that a biological system would have to be set up to generate the opposite: animals seem to be able to experience not just pleasure, but joy and happiness. Many of us have thought that feelings are unique to mammals, but it seems that even fish display behaviors indicating that they are sentient. Always difficult to prove if we cannot ask direct questions, but even the most objective research is providing robust, objective evidence that this is true. Jonathan Balcombe argues — I believe convincingly — that animals are individuals with an impressive range of feelings and emotions. As I am composing this review, I have just written an article on my blog concerning the findings published this week that dolphins call each other by "name." This is further evidence supporting the facts presented in this book. If the material presented here is correct, then it has some stunning ethical implications. I found this book to be a good complement to Peter Singer's The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter and Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma. Highly recommended. May 17, 2006
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