Research suggests that plants may have feelings, memories
Play
Re: "Spare a thought for the life-loving animals", Letters, November 9.
Does a tomato give a silent shriek of terror as you are about to cut it up? Does a green bean suffer an excruciating death when thrown into a pot of boiling water?
These questions are not as silly as they sound.
Increasingly scientists are looking into the question of whether plants have feelings, can experience pain, can sense their surroundings and imminent danger, and have memories.
Surprisingly perhaps, the answer based on the unfolding evidence is yes.
We all know that some
plants close up or move when touched, and one plant in Thailand “dances” to the sound of music.
Experiments have proved that plants can have memories. Others have defence mechanisms against predators, but we now know that some plants can adapt and initiate new defence mechanisms if needed. Mown grass emits chemical signals that it is distressed. And so on.
The more research goes on the more it seems plants have senses that, if not the same, at least equate to those of animals and humans.
Where then, Jenny Moxham, should we draw the line on what we eat?
I do believe, however, that we should all work towards the more humane treatment of the animals we rear or catch or kill for food.
David Brown
