Space

plants are living too

But around capable of the same level of consciousness as animals? I don't really think so.

But I agree with what you're getting at-- Where is the boundary? Are insects ok to kill and eat? I don't think so, but I don't know for certain where the boundary is. I do know for certain that a cow is above the boundary of deserving good treatment

drop that head of lettuce you murderer..................

also couldnt you flip around the reasoning for their being no meaningful distinction for a pig and a severely autistic person who cant contribute to society and just say that instead of treating the pig with the same amount of respect as the autist, you could just slaughter/euthanise them both for more functional individuals' gains