Every sentient being values his or her life…

“The case for nonsentience in the case of clams, oysters, etc., is *not* certain and, therefore, it seems to me to make good moral sense to have a presumption in favor of sentience and against exploitation. And there are other mollusks (cephalopods, such as the squid, octopus, etc.) who are more neurologically developed and where it is clear that there is sentience. So I regard it as good moral sense to presume in favor of the sentience of clams, oysters, and scallops and all mollusks (including snails) and to not eat them or otherwise exploit them as human resources.”

– Gary L. Francione

Excerpt from: Sentience

http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/sentience/#.U3mANvl5NyQ