Is it moral to eat insects?

[kneadableeraser]

What do you think is it moral to eat insects as a source of protein? They do not have a brain, only a nervous system to control for certain behaviors and habits and thus should not be able to feel any emotions.
I'm still a meat eater, but I'm planning on slowly decreasing the amount of meat that consume and maybe in the near future completely eliminate all meat from my diet, but it's too early for that; I'm still in the research phase and trying to figure out what to eat and so on.

[Cirion Spellbinder]

What do you think is it moral to eat insects as a source of protein?

Almost nothing. Unless they are bees, which are important to our environment and agriculture.

They do not have a brain, only a nervous system to control for certain behaviors and habits and thus should not be able to feel any emotions.

I think brimstoneSalad addresses this well in the topic https://theveganatheist.com/forum/viewt ... =22&t=1113

As others have said, cows do not equal insects, insects do not equal humans, humans do not equal cows. All animals are not equal in sentience. Some are more or less sentient than others. Sentience is roughly proportional to brain size.

I avoid killing insects if they aren't causing me or others any trouble (why would you go out of your way to kill something for fun?).
I do not avoid killing mosquitoes and other disease vectors.

If you have an infestation, you can feel assured in protecting your health by eliminating them.
Just as if you had a bunch of human vagrants rummaging through your kitchen and eating all of your food and pooping everywhere and coughing on you to make you sick, you'd be within your "rights" to drive them from your home by whatever means you must employ.

It's wrong to kill, but sometimes it's a justified wrong.

I'm still a meat eater, but I'm planning on slowly decreasing the amount of meat that consume and maybe in the near future completely eliminate all meat from my diet, but it's too early for that; I'm still in the research phase and trying to figure out what to eat and so on.

Awesome! If you need help, feel free to ask! We have excellent resources here!

[brimstoneSalad]

What do you think is it moral to eat insects as a source of protein?

It's the lesser of two evils, since insects are usually less sentient, and more efficient (more environmentally sustainable). It's better to get your nutrition from plants, though, for health, environmental, and ethical reasons.

They do not have a brain, only a nervous system to control for certain behaviors and habits and thus should not be able to feel any emotions.

Not sure where you got that they don't have brains.

http://insects.about.com/od/morphology/ ... Brains.htm
Here's more on their behavior and decentralized systems:
http://bioteaching.com/insect-brains-an ... elligence/

Insects learn, and are sentient/"conscious" organisms (at least, the larger ones are)

Oysters are sedentary animals, and are probably not sentient. They have much simpler nervous systems than insects, and their behavior doesn't display learning as far as I know.

Maybe you're thinking of oysters instead?

I'm still a meat eater, but I'm planning on slowly decreasing the amount of meat that consume and maybe in the near future completely eliminate all meat from my diet, but it's too early for that; I'm still in the research phase and trying to figure out what to eat and so on.

That's great that you're open to change, we're glad to help in any way we can.

As I mentioned above, Oysters are a good non-sentient option. At least rope grown oysters are more environmentally friendly. However, plant protein is better for your health. Beans and green leafy veggies are the most healthy things you can eat.