Yep, it's worth remembering that cats don't have opposable thumbs to grip with, they have claws instead.

So for example if you go to pet a cat's stomach and it doesn't want you to its only recourse maybe to use it's claws to "grab" your hand.

I think removing the ability to "grip" from cats for the sake of furniture or because you want to do things to the cat it doesn't like is wrong.

If you don't like scratchy cats don't have a cat.

I think that inability to "grip" things is the least of the problems with declawing. Complications, pain, problems walking and the whole idea of removing body parts at all count a little higher for me.

As an owner I think you can avoid getting scratched. As a vet... I personally have never been bitten (too little practical experience), but I've seen colleagues handle cats in a way that just spelled resignation to the fact that those teeth will connect and there is nothing to be done about it....

I highly recommend "My Cat from Hell" on animal planet. It taught me tons of stuff about cat behavior and how to make the cat/guardian relationship work.

Problems in cat behavior are conquerable, with the right strategies. It seems to be more about changing the environment with cats, rather than training, as it is with dogs.