Gustavo Yañez González & Mariana Rojas

This article addresses the ethical debate on animal sentience in fish, with emphasis on salmonids (Fam. Salmonidae), integrating evidence from neurobiology, philosophy of mind, and applied bioethics. The Multiple Realizability Concept suggests that pain perception may arise from neural structures functionally equivalent to the mammalian neocortex, while the Precautionary Principle provides a normative framework in the face of scientific uncertainty on this issue. The need for continuous review and refinement of welfare standards is highlighted. It is argued that a bioethical framework grounded in Multiple Realizability and the Precautionary Principle contributes to strengthening the welfare of salmonids in both productive contexts and scientific research.

KEY WORDS: Multiple realizability; Precautionary principle; Animal sentience; Animal welfare; Pallium; Salmon.

YAÑEZ GONZÁLEZ, G. & ROJAS, M. Multiple realizability and the precautionary principle in animal sentience: Bioethical implications for salmonid welfare. Int. J. Morphol., 43(6):2089- 2092, 2025.