Those who ignore ample data about animal minds wrongly criticize the use of anecdotes and anthropomorphism.

Scientific uncertainty and mistaken claims about human exceptionalism also result in intentional data-denying.

Data deniers take the easy way out by misrepresenting detailed research that results in mistreatment.

A question that I'm repeatedly asked: "Why is there a lag between learning facts about animal consciousness, sentience, and emotions and using what we know?" Mary, a well-known psychologist who calls herself a cognitive ethologist—someone who studies animal minds—wrote me a nice note asking me to say more, if I could, about the mindset of people who feel comfortable denying scientific facts about animal minds while continuing to do harmful research that has little to no bearing on who the animals really are.

Why animals "lose their minds" and the downsides of data-denying

One of the most egregious and surprising examples of animals losing their minds due to ignoring detailed comparative data on animal cognition and emotions for these clearly sentient and deeply emotional beings can be found in the current updated US Federal Animal Welfare Act, where we read,

"Enacted January 23, 2002, Title X, Subtitle D of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, changed the definition of 'animal' in the Animal Welfare Act, specifically excluding birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research."

"Enacted January 23, 2002, Title X, Subtitle D of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, changed the definition of 'animal' in the Animal Welfare Act, specifically excluding birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research."

I am always incredulous that the Animal Welfare Act does not consider these indisputable animals to be animals. Of course, these rodents are the go-to animals used by the millions in various invasive studies; this use must be defended. Other indisputable animals also are conveniently tossed out of the animal kingdom. People are shocked when I tell them this. We know from detailed scientific research that they have highly evolved cognitive and emotional capacities, they experience empathy, and rats laugh and like to be........

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