Aloha Wizard.  Here's an essay I wrote in 2005 which I believe you will find very interesting and well-written.  It's a philosophical exploration of the logical interconnections among many issues:
"Life and Death -- Moral Shades of Gray"
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/bigfiles3/lifedeathshadesgray.html

Near the bottom of that essay I raise the issue of animal rights and also of plant rights.  I'm going to add Susan Scott's article, and my response, as an addendum after the end of my original essay.