Thread by @Sentient_Media

This week, people have been discussing if eating #oysters conflicts with following a plant-based diet.

Today, we’re taking a look at the definition of sentience and #veganism—and at animal species that have been proven to be more sentient than humans used to think. 👇1/14

Although there is legal and scientific disagreement about #sentience, there are some standards that are broadly accepted.

According to @SentienceInst, sentience is simply the ability to have positive and negative experiences, including pain. 2/14
sentientmedia.org/sentient-being/

The concept of animal #sentience is important for ethical reasons.

If #animals are sentient beings capable of feeling pain, most humans would agree that it is morally wrong to cause unnecessary pain or suffering to them. 3/14
sentientmedia.org/sentience-what…

Veganism is a movement of people striving to live without harming other sentient beings.

Although #veganism is often equated with following a #PlantBased diet, vegans also boycott clothing, cosmetic products and entertainment that harms animals. 4/14
sentientmedia.org/vegan-lifestyl…

While many products cause animal suffering, refusing to eat #meat, dairy, eggs & seafood is one of the most effective steps to reduce harm.

Billions of land #animals are slaughtered every year and an estimated one trillion fish. @animal_clock 5/14
sentientmedia.org/how-many-anima…

Those who follow a #vegan diet avoid animal products and choose to eat only plants.

Some people argue that plants also feel pain, however, scientists do not agree that plants possess anything like the inner lives or experiences the way #animals do. 6/14
sentientmedia.org/do-plants-feel…

The answer to the question of whether #fish are capable of pain is a decisive “yes.”

Fish have all the receptors needed to feel pain; they create natural opioids to deal with #pain and exhibit physical reactions when they receive painkillers. 7/14
sentientmedia.org/do-fish-feel-p…

The question of whether or not #insects feel pain is a matter of heated debate.

A @RSocPublishing study published this year, argues that insects may be #sentient, raising issues about their rights and welfare. @AristosGeorgio1 reports via @Newsweek. 8/14
newsweek.com/insects-may-ab…

Another recent study showed that #bees almost certainly feel pain.

Researchers, including @LChittka, further found evidence that bees make trade-off decisions and have associative memories that engage their central nervous systems. @DNairSM reports. 9/14
sentientmedia.org/bees-can-feel-…

There are fewer studies on #lobsters, yet there is evidence that they do feel pain.

Animal #advocates use the precautionary principle, arguing that we have enough evidence to push for the protection of a species whose suffering is often overlooked. 10/14
sentientmedia.org/do-lobsters-fe…

Although bivalves such as #oysters are considered more “plant-like” than other animal species, they are animals nonetheless.

“I think that there are a lot of reasons to eat plant-based foods instead,” @jeffrsebo of @NYU_ASI says. @HamlettClaire 11/14
sentientmedia.org/leave-fish-in-…

Seafood has long been hailed as a source of healthy fats and protein.

However, in addition to causing harm to animals, #aquaculture has severe negative consequences for the environment and contains ever-increasing levels of mercury and #plastics. 12/14
sentientmedia.org/is-seafood-hea…

Companies such as @goodcatchfoods, @NewWaveFoods, @gardein, and @oceanhuggerfood produce #seafood alternatives that don't involve slaughter.

@JenMishler reports on #PlantBased and lab-grown alternatives that offer consumers #fish without a catch. 13/14
sentientmedia.org/fish-without-t…

Human #sentience is widely understood and accepted, but the topic of #animal sentience is often controversial.

Help us continue our reporting about animal agriculture and the need to build #FoodSystems that protect sentient beings from suffering.👇14/14
sentientmedia.org/donate