Scallops

Hi, I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons, in that I don't want to take away the life of any creature that has the capacity to feel. So I don't eat any meat, including seafood. But I've been thinking recently about scallops. They don't seem to have a brain of any kind, so is it acceptable to eat them?

 

that depends on your own judgement sweetie...would u feel bad eating them?

 

i don't know if they feel pain or not... but, personally, i could care less, i still will never eat them.

does anyone know how they are caught? and if it could possibly be harmful to animals with full working nervous systems?

 

I'm a vegan, so obviously I wouldn't go near that typa stuff. (a) I would give them the benefit of the doubt in terms of pain- as they have a much more complex make up and central nervous system than all plants...so it's safer there. (b) I know that the way by which a lot of sea-food is collected can mess up eco-systems. (For instance in Florida the population of certain turtles has been dwindling due to the fact that we nearly cleared out shrimp in certain areas.)

 

I'm not sure if they feel pain or not, but I don't eat any seafood & give things like scallops & shrimp the benefit of the doubt. I do this partially for health reasons as well. Seafood, especially bottom-feeders, contain high concentrations of mercury and other pollutants found in the ocean. I choose not to risk it so I steer clear, but it's really up to each individual as to where they draw the line.

 

I was just thinking about what grateful vegan said about the impact of harvesting food frm the ocean....how about seaweed? Is this taken from the wild or from farming situations?

 

plant. seaweed is considered a plant...

 

thanks druminmama, that was what I meant...never really thought much about seaweed and the impact of it's harvesting till I was reading the first post...not that I would stop munching it down but maybe there is a case to be made for environmentally friendly seaweed?