James RickardDo fish feel pain?
February 1st 2008 20:23
Okay! I'll throw my hat into the ring and offer my two cents!
You've probably seen the ads from the humane society or PETA--those guilt inducing questions like, "Would you put a fish hook in your dog's lip?" I think I even saw a cartoon (or was it a drawing?) of a dog with a fish hook in its lip.
Before we go on, here's my take--WE'RE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, DUDE! LIGHTEN UP!
All told, this is a debate I'd rather not enter because even the world's greatest scientists can't agree on this topic. One side says one thing, the other side counters and it goes on and on!
Pain is a very subjective sensation and involves complicated emotional and neurological responses. When a fish flinches or moves away from something unpleasant, what we're seeing MAY be simply a reflex reacting to noxious stimuli!
Of the thousands of fish species out there, are we to believe that science has definitively studied each one to the point that humans can be told, hands down, that we're inflicting pain on animals--several of which have a brain the size of a pea or smaller?
I'm certainly no icthiologist but I DO know that the human nervous system is much more complex than that of a fish! The bottom line is that what hurts us may not hurt them.
Here's the theory I buy into--predatory fish must NOT feel pain as we know it. How else can you explain spiny fins or shards of broken turtle shell that stab into a fish's mouth with each bite?
You've probably seen the ads from the humane society or PETA--those guilt inducing questions like, "Would you put a fish hook in your dog's lip?" I think I even saw a cartoon (or was it a drawing?) of a dog with a fish hook in its lip.
Before we go on, here's my take--WE'RE AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN, DUDE! LIGHTEN UP!
All told, this is a debate I'd rather not enter because even the world's greatest scientists can't agree on this topic. One side says one thing, the other side counters and it goes on and on!
Pain is a very subjective sensation and involves complicated emotional and neurological responses. When a fish flinches or moves away from something unpleasant, what we're seeing MAY be simply a reflex reacting to noxious stimuli!
Of the thousands of fish species out there, are we to believe that science has definitively studied each one to the point that humans can be told, hands down, that we're inflicting pain on animals--several of which have a brain the size of a pea or smaller?
I'm certainly no icthiologist but I DO know that the human nervous system is much more complex than that of a fish! The bottom line is that what hurts us may not hurt them.
Here's the theory I buy into--predatory fish must NOT feel pain as we know it. How else can you explain spiny fins or shards of broken turtle shell that stab into a fish's mouth with each bite?
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by Mal
Mal
They should all be put out to sea in a raft in shark-infested waters and be made to tell off the sharks for eating fish since they're so animal friendly.
What are all these vegans going to eat when someone comes up with a theory that plants feel pain?
If they don't want to eat fish? Fine. Piss off and let me enjoy mine in peace.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
It appears as if you have an opinion! *CHUCKLE* (Don't get offended! I think we're coming from the same place.) I'm with you--I can't stand that self-righteous crap! I wanted to present both sides of this argument in an informed tone but the facts are just too contradictory! This is one of those posts that ended up being something totally different than what I intended. Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
There is a big difference between hurting an animal like a dog, and 'hunting' a fish, slaughtering a pig, whatever, in the most practical and humane way possible, in order to obtain food. Whether or not the fish feels any pain, I'm sorry to say, doesn't matter all that much to me. Do cockroaches feel pain? The cycle involves pain and death as much as it does joy and life.
Probably you are right though, and the fish doesn't really feel pain. As a general rule, the lower down the food chain you are, the less developed and complex the nervous system, the less pain? It's only fair that those that are hunted more suffer less, and vice versa - it all balances.
Michaelie
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
I pretty much agree with you. It's sort of odd that I'd even bring this up but, like you said, PETA is too much to behold.
I wish I could find something definitive on this because the one thing that keeps going through my head is that some fish have spiny projections as protection. If that's the case, does that mean some other fish DO feel pain?
The sad fact is that after this topic is brought up, it's glossed over and another question is brought up. That's why I wonder if it's just a smoke screen to hide the fact that science can't answer the question because the different species of fish is so vast!
Anyhoo, thanks for sounding off.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
HAHAHAHA! Dig ya bro so much!
Mis
Reminds me of a this classic Dr. Demento clip Fish heads
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Man, I forgot all about that vid!!! I stumbled across that one night on the web.