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Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Avoiding Anthropomorphic Drift in ‘One Biology’ and ‘One Welfare’

Authors: Fernando Mata; Meirielly Jesus; Joana Santos;

Avoiding Anthropomorphic Drift in ‘One Biology’ and ‘One Welfare’

Abstract

Integrative frameworks such as ‘One Welfare’ and ‘One Biology’ address the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human wellbeing, and environmental conditions by emphasising systemic interactions and shared biological mechanisms across species. Although grounded in scientific evidence, these approaches risk conceptual anthropomorphisation, whereby human-centred assumptions, emotional narratives, or cultural norms influence interpretations of welfare, sentience, or sustainability. Such projections can undermine scientific objectivity, misrepresent species-specific needs, and weaken the frameworks’ applicability in research, policy, and practice. This paper critically examines how anthropomorphising concepts may arise within this context, distinguishing empirically supported biological continuity from unwarranted human-like attributions. It highlights the importance of precise language, operational definitions, and comparative evidence to safeguard conceptual integrity. While both frameworks are fundamentally non-anthropomorphic, careless language and human-centred assumptions can compromise their scientific rigour and ethical coherence. Avoiding conceptual anthropomorphisation is therefore essential to maximise their value for robust welfare assessment, policy development, and sustainable practice.

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    popularity
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    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
gold