IT IS the ethical dilemma that for decades has troubled people the world over: when you place a live lobster in a pot of boiling water, does it feel pain?
Norwegian scientists were asked to investigate pain, discomfort and stress in invertebrates and claim now to have discovered that the answer is 'no'.
Their conclusion applies also to crabs and to live worms on a fishhook.
None of these creatures feels a thing, which is good news for Norwegian fishermen at least.
Their government was considering a ban on live worms as fish bait under revisions to its animal protection laws – but only if it hurt.
Wenche
