MOODS, MINDS AND MOLECULES - THE NEUROCHEMISTRY OF SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR

A revolution in neuropharmacology has led to the development of compou nds that have the potential to be powerful tools both for controlling aggression in managed animals and for improving our understanding of t he causation of social behavior. In this paper, we review what is know n (and what is not known) about the neurochemical basis of aggression and attachment behaviors. We then discuss the limitations, pitfalls an d promises of using neurochemical modulation to deal with behavior pro blems in farm, zoo and laboratory animals. Even if the limitations and pitfalls can be overcome, however, the promises raise an ethical ques tion-is it acceptable to improve animal welfare by altering the animal 's mental state rather than the management environment?