Why I am not a vegan

[Monica]

Oh also, to whomever may find it interesting, this article passed through my Facebook feed today:

http://www.businessinsider.com/plants-kn...en-2014-10

"New research shows plants know when they're being eaten. And they don't like it.

That plants possess an intelligence is not new knowledge, but according to Modern Farmer, a new study from the University of Missouri shows plants can sense when they are being eaten and send out defense mechanisms to try to stop it from happening."

If one reads the article carefully, it's easy to see that those are erroneous conclusions. Here's why:

the thale cress produces mustard oils that are mildly toxic when eaten and sends them throughout its leaves to try to keep the predators away.

Clearly, the mustard oils aren't toxic to caterpillars, because the caterpillars keep right on munching. :idea:

So the entire conclusion is based on a false premise.