worms on a hook

[joey]

Worms on a Hook Don't Suffer?

Mon Feb 7, 9:37 AM ET Oddly Enough - Reuters



OSLO (Reuters) - Worms squirming on a fishhook feel no pain -- nor do lobsters and crabs cooked in boiling water, a scientific study funded by the Norwegian government has found.




"The common earthworm has a very simple nervous system -- it can be cut in two and continue with its business," Professor Wenche Farstad, who chaired the panel that drew up the report, said Monday.


Norway might have considered banning the use of live worms as fish bait if the study had found they felt pain, but Farstad said "It seems to be only reflex curling when put on the hook ... They might sense something, but it is not painful and does not compromise their well-being."


The government called for the study on pain, discomfort and stress in invertebrates to help in the planned revision of Norway's animal protection law. Invertebrates cover a range of creatures from insects and spiders to mollusks and crustaceans.


Farstad said most invertebrates, including lobsters and crabs boiled alive, do not feel pain because, unlike mammals, they do not have a big brain to read the signals.


Some more advanced kinds of insects, such as honeybees which display social behavior and a capacity to learn and cooperate, deserve special care, she said.


"We have particular responsibility for animals that we have in our custody. That is not a scientific opinion, but the ethical side of the issue," Farstad said.

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...any comments?

[ChocoMeijin]

Even if they don't feel pain, that doesn't mean they enjoy being killed. Saying that, would it even be so horrible to be killed if there was no pain? They wouldn't be able to care, since they don't have that capability. My curiousity is piqued ^_^

[munchy]

i dont be messin with that old hook and worm BS. all fly baby.

[concept3]

That is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard. Never would I feel sorry for a worm on a hook. I dont even care if it does feel pain, its a WORM!! I wonder to myself how far these animal activist ( hypocrates) will go.

[Neo]

if they're worried about a worm feeling pain maybe they should just stop fishing all together cause i bet those fish feel pain when that hook goes through their mouth

[Katt]

Originally posted by concept3
That is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard. Never would I feel sorry for a worm on a hook. I dont even care if it does feel pain, its a WORM!! I wonder to myself how far these animal activist ( hypocrates) will go.

Whoa, now that is one real callous attitude and the way some of those rattlesnake round up people feel about snakes. But we sure do get upset about them killing our precious serpents no?

Let's not try to be bigoted simply b/c we're human. Be glad you're not born as a worm.

I for one am glad that worms don't feel pain, I have often feel bad, but I just thank whomever, I'm not a worm, or the rats I bonked today to feed my snakes.

[munchy]

Originally posted by Katt
or the rats I bonked today to feed my snakes.

rat bonking is the absolute worst. i hate that ish..

[wetlander]

if they're worried about a worm feeling pain maybe they should just stop fishing all together cause i bet those fish feel pain when that hook goes through their mouth

Actually most fish don't really feel pain in their mouths either. Their mouths are built to grab sharp objects such as fish spines, rock and other objects. I am sure they feel something sharp, but not like we would feel it.

Of course its hilarious that a country would investigate this subject with the idea of banning bait fishing when they thrive on commerceial fishing where millions of fish are netted thrown in a pile and crushed under the weight of all the other fish and slowly suffocate.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the way the fish are treated is inhumane, I'm just saying that they are hypocritical.

Doug

[sneaky_boa]

how exactly might one determine how/if a worm feels pain? Now I work in a lab everyday....and I cannot conceptualize what research method might determine the pain threshold of a worm. There are standardized tests for most vertebrate species...but a worm? Seriously...think about this....how can a researcher determine pain...of a worm???? Are they just making assumptions based on the anatomy of the nervous system? This really has me bothered now....

[Bartman]

I know when I put a worm on a hook to go fishing it looks to me like it must KILL. They get all squirmy and start going all crazy.

In my eyes id say they forsure feel pain...

[Lrptls]

totally agree with bartman about the squirming. worms just like to dig in the dirt and move around at a nice slow pace. you ever see a worm spaz out of no where? they look to me like they are going through a crap load of pain. if they didn't feel it or it didn't bother them wouldn't they act no different?

i dont like fishing because its been proven that its not good for the fish. the hook can rip the fishes mouth and cause it to not be able to eat. when handled the fish loses precious slime coating which helps it swim, therefore they dont swim as good and are easily caught by other things.

but any ways, i can't say i'm against hooking a worm because i buy worms for my animals to eat. i always cut them up with scisors so they can be eaten more easily.

i feel horrible when i do it but i still do it, they are probably the only animals i hurt myself.

[chas*e]

All things ..trees,plants,insects,reptiles,worms they all have survival drives and don't want to die but you can't be over-sensative to everything...I am sure a Cow doesn't want to be on a BBQ either but I love steak..lol

[McCarthy Boas]

It sure is amazing how much money people can waste on stupid studies.
Maybe I should see if I can find someone to give me a grant to study boas?

Who needs worms anyway when you can catch this with a man made fly.




Take care,
Tom

[concept3]

wow McCarthy is that youin thos photos? Nice fish !!!

[McCarthy Boas]

Hi concept3,

Yes that is my ugly mug in the pics. LOL

Take care
Tom