"We have developed a rigorous framework for evaluating scientific evidence of sentience based on eight criteria." 1) possession of nociceptors; 2) possessi

"We have developed a rigorous framework for evaluating scientific evidence of sentience based on eight criteria." 1) possession of nociceptors; 2) possession of integrative brain regions; 3) connections between nociceptors and integrative brain regions; 4) responses affected by potential local anaesthetics or analgesics; 5) motivational trade-offs that show a balancing of threat against opportunity for reward; 6) flexible self-protective behaviours in response to injury and threat; 7) associative learning that goes beyond habituation and sensitisation; 8) behaviour that shows the animal values local anaesthetics or analgesics when injured.