Do jellyfish feel pain?

Do fish feel pain? The science for and against?

• I have read numerous studies for and against the idea that fish feel pain. The big argument against it is that for pain to be acknowledged, a neocortex in the brain is absolutely vital; of which fish do not have. A study indicating that they do feel pain was done by injecting bee venom into some fish and saline into a control group. The fish with bee venom acted very differently during feeding, rubbing their lips on the ground. However, well educated biologists have indicated that this does not show they feel pain. Dr Bruno Broughton, a fish biologist and NAA adviser, said: "I doubt that it will come as much of a shock to anglers to learn that fish have an elaborate system of sensory cells around their mouths... "However, it is an entirely different matter to draw conclusions about the ability of fish to feel pain, a psychological experience for which they literally do not have the brains," he said. He quoted from a study by Professor James Rose of the University of Wyoming, US, in which it was found fish did not possess the necessary and specific regions of the brain, the neocortex. What do you think? Scientific and educated replies only please.

• Answer:

  I think all animals have some pain response or harm aversion mechanism. Just because they can't yell doesn't mean they don't feel undesirable stimuli.