There is actually some research that indicates that plants do have some kind of response when we cut them, as they release a chemical called ethylene which seems to control factors such as cell growth. However, plants are devoid of nervous systems, nerve endings, and brains and so although it is feasible to reason that anything that is living can exhibit a response to physical stimulus, it seems far-fetched to attribute pain to plants because they cannot have a perception of pain. In any case, on the plant front I do think a line has to be drawn in the sand. When that lobster gets lowered into the boiling waters he will feel pain, and you can bet your house that it is more then even the most caring, sharing tomatoe! Pain minimisation has got to be the order of the day, not sainthood. Screw aubergines and tomatoes I say! Kill the vegetables! Save the animals! They really ARE feeling pain and KNOWING IT is someway along the path to helping to STOP IT.

Copyright - Stuart Brown