Fish feel pain — at least according to a study by British scientists.  The researchers injected acetic acid or bee venom into the lips of rainbow trout and then watched how the fish behaved. I must admit, I didn’t even know trout had lips. Nevertheless, this is said to be the first study “proving” fish perceive pain. As a result, there are groups rising up to declare anything that causes pain to a fish to be unethical. And as fishing season begins, animal rights groups have a word for all fishermen. 

“We would encourage anglers to lay down their rods. It’s ridiculous that in (modern times) we are still talking about whether fish feel pain — of course they do,” Dawn Carr of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was quoted as saying. PETA, you may remember, opposed using dolphins and sea lions to scout for mines during the Iraq and Gulf War. The group lobbies against any practices that may cause animals harm.

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A couple of amazing bioethics stories caught my attention this Memorial Day weekend — a holiday in which we celebrate and honor the sacrifice of incredibly brave men and women who fought across Europe and the Pacific for our freedom and liberty. 

Now there are those fighting for freedom and liberty for animals and even plants. Count this blog in the “you-won’t-believe-this” category.