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Study Suggests Crabs Can Feel Pain

tritonman writes "A new scientific study suggests that crabs can feel and remember pain. From the article: '"More research is needed in this area where a potentially very large problem is being ignored," said Elwood. Legislation to protect crustaceans has been proposed but it is likely to cover only scientific research. Millions of crustacean are caught or reared in aquaculture for the food industry. There is no protection for these animals (with the possible exception of certain states in Australia) as the presumption is that they cannot experience pain.' Perhaps soon there will be a study to determine that vegetables feel pain as well, then all of the vegans will only be allowed to eat rocks."

17 of 628 comments (clear)

  1. Actually, vegetables do scream when picked by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 4, Funny

    But you'd have to ask a vegetable if it feels pain.

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    1. Re:Actually, vegetables do scream when picked by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

      But you'd have to ask a vegetable if it feels pain.

      I've tried. I ask them over and over again, and they never answer me. Eventually, I get kicked out of the hospital.

    2. Re:Actually, vegetables do scream when picked by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 4, Funny

      You need to learn to whisper to them.

      I find a mix of radish and arugula works. Most carrots can understand that.

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      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    3. Re:Actually, vegetables do scream when picked by ArsonSmith · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why does Mandrake use ReiserFS?

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      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    4. Re:Actually, vegetables do scream when picked by Soylent+Beige · · Score: 5, Funny

      What's the worst thing about eating vegetables?

      The wheelchairs.

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      Everyone hates me because I'm paranoid.
  2. Much more importantly by OSUJoe · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about the pain I would experience not being allowed to eat sweet, delicious crab?

  3. My bad... by PolishPimpin · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guess ill have to be careful when I pick them off my bush...

  4. Re:Required reading by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Funny

    The lobster might behave as we would, but I can guarantee you that the lobster is much, much tastier. Speaking of which, I think I need to go for some Lobsterfest tonite!

  5. Re:Required reading by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    There happen to be two main criteria that most ethicists agree on for determining whether a living creature has the capacity to suffer and so has genuine interests that it may or may not be our moral duty to consider. One is how much of the neurological hardware required for pain-experience the animal comes equipped with--nociceptors, prostaglandins, neuronal opioid receptors, etc. The other criterion is whether the animal demonstrates behavior associated with pain. And it takes a lot of intellectual gymnastics and behaviorist hairsplitting not to see struggling, thrashing, and lid-clattering as just such pain-behavior.

    Except there's a third criteria: is the animal tasty enough to disregard the other two criteria.

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    Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  6. Re:Required reading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have heard from those that eat bush meat that it is unlike anything else.

    You're doing it wrong

  7. Re:Required reading by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have a modest proposal that might interest you...

  8. Re:Required reading by Capt.DrumkenBum · · Score: 4, Funny
    You can guarantee that the lobster is much, much tastier.

    How many humans have you eaten? How did you cook them?
    Perhaps you are using the wrong spices.

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    If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
  9. Re:Required reading by pluther · · Score: 5, Funny

    But...but...he heard the lid rattling!

    What else could possibly cause the lid on the pot of boiling water with a lobster inside to rattle like that?

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    If the masses can keep you down, you're not the Ubermensch.
  10. Re:Simple solution by mmontour · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did you know if you dump some instant grits on a fire ant mound the workers will take them in and feed them to the queen, and that she will then die as they slowly expand in her body,

    I've been reading Slashdot for many years and I've seen a lot of comments about grits, but that one's new to me.

  11. Re:Required reading by Chosen+Reject · · Score: 5, Funny

    Obviously the water was in pain as it was thrashing about trying to get away from the heat source. That's not steam, those are the precious souls of billions of water molecules you just tortured and burned alive!!!

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    Just say no to irreversible processes!
  12. Re:Required reading by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Except there's a third criteria: is the animal tasty enough to disregard the other two criteria.

    That reminds me of something my daughter told me while driving past a cow field when she was 4 years old.

    "Cows sure are cute daddy... It's too bad they taste so good. Can we have steak when we get home?"

  13. Re:Required reading by _Sprocket_ · · Score: 4, Funny

    *holds up a glass of water*

    BEHOLD! The Resurrection!