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Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient (www.nbcnews.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

164 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Far more animals than previously thought likely have consciousness, top scientists say in a new declaration — including fish, lobsters and octopus.

Bees play by rolling wooden balls — apparently for fun. The cleaner wrasse fish appears to recognize its own visage in an underwater mirror. Octopuses seem to react to anesthetic drugs and will avoid settings where they likely experienced past pain.

All three of these discoveries came in the last five years — indications that the more scientists test animals, the more they find that many species may have inner lives and be sentient. A surprising range of creatures have shown evidence of conscious thought or experience, including insects, fish and some crustaceans.

That has prompted a group of top researchers on animal cognition to publish a new pronouncement that they hope will transform how scientists and society view — and care — for animals.

Nearly 40 researchers signed “The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness,” which was first presented at a conference at New York University on Friday morning. It marks a pivotal moment, as a flood of research on animal cognition collides with debates over how various species ought to be treated.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Well, no. Milk is naturally produced for a limited period so a mammal can feed its young. Fruits are produced year-round every year so a plant can spread its seeds as far as possible.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Milk and fruit are both only produced for a limited time.

For instance, many tomato plants only produce tomatoes for a few months of the year, and then they die.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Milk and fruit are both only produced for a limited time.

By each individual plant, sure. But for diverse farming, you can easily get a permanent rotation of fruits going.

You're also completely ignoring the most importat fact - that milk is produced to feed newborns and fruit is produced to attract (and by extension feed) literally whichever species is around.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

No, fruit is produced to be eaten by animals who will ingest the seeds and defecate them somewhere suitable for growth. It is not meant to be eaten by animals who defecate in a toilet.

Regardless, animals and plants used in agriculture have been modified by selective breeding to suit human needs, so the milk and fruit they produce are now meant for humans. And human agricultural practices ensure a constant supply of both fruit and milk.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

At this point you're really grasping at straws to justify your cruelty, huh?

No, fruit is produced to be eaten by animals who will ingest the seeds and defecate them somewhere suitable for growth. It is not meant to be eaten by animals who defecate in a toilet.

Completely fucking irrelevant how an animal spreads a plant's seed.

Regardless, animals and plants used in agriculture have been modified by selective breeding to suit human needs, so the milk and fruit they produce are now meant for humans. And human agricultural practices ensure a constant supply of both fruit and milk.

You've been selectively bred to work, is it okay to turn you into a slave?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I'm simply pointing out that milk and fruit are both meant to be consumed. This is true regardless of whether you believe one is more moral than the other. The latter depends on whether you believe, as suggested above, that plants are sentient.

As I've pointed out elsewhere, I believe that if you are concerned only about animal suffering then your diet should include wild animals that kill other animals, namely wild caught fish.