Scientific evidence that lobsters can experience pain has led to legal reforms in several countries, though most lobsters worldwide are still killed without stunning.
Research by Prof. Robert Elwood at Queen's University Belfast demonstrated that shore crabs and lobsters show nociception and behaviour consistent with pain. Boiling live lobsters may cause acute suffering lasting minutes. Chilling before killing reduces but does not eliminate awareness. Electrical stunning is the most humane method and is commercially viable.