Google plants consciousness and you will find all kinds of scientific studies showing that plants and other non-animal life forms have some sort of consciousness, reactions to others and even some forms of emotion.
Perhaps "proven by science" is a little strong :D but it is close to providing...
First (known) religion to advocate ahimsa, non-violence
First (major) religion to have women clergy (nuns)
First religion to have a woman messiah (former tirthankara)
First religion to advocate male-female egalitarianism
First religion to recognize all life forms have consciousness
First...
Science can solve all this debate. Science shows biological evolution is true. Science shows that we are members of the Animal Kingdom. Science shows that animals and plants have consciousness, a soul. Science proves Jainism is the way.
Buddhism has no creator god and denies the existence of any soul. The problem then arises, who or what reincarnates? Buddhists have trouble with that idea themselves.