By: The Hatter

The Hatter — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:03:23 +0000

I believe this interpretation to be a bit of an exaggeration. Though, I understand the concern that human beings should never be demoted to second class citizens in any way, I don’t think the “equal rights” bill for the Great Apes is anything that you describe it to be. I don’t think there are many sane people who think that wild animals should be roaming the streets of cities in the industrialized world like the one we live in today. However, if you have ever worked closely with a chimpanzee or another great ape, It is hard to argue with the reality that these creatures are thinking, feeling intelligent creatures who can use language to communicate to one another, form strong social bonds, thrive only with love and community and have the intellectual sensitivity that allows them to repress certain desires in order to devise a plan to get what they want. Sound familiar? Of course chimpanzees are not going to be out cavorting at the pubs on a Friday night. That is beside the point. The point is that while in captivity great apes are highly mistreated. If this law that is being passed makes it a little easier for the lives of these animals while we use them for our benefit, then I really don’t see how this threatens the lives of human beings. Granted there have been a few things popping up recently where animal rights activists are getting bad press due to their opinions on euthanizing disabled babies. However, I don’t think this goes hand in hand with granting more rights to the other great apes. According to http://www.Telegraph.co.uk , the law will make it a criminal offence to mistreat or kill a great ape, except in cases of self-defense and euthanasia as well as eliminating the concept of ownership. This is truly a wonderful step for these creatures. Maybe you believe that we should be allowed to own animals like the great apes, maybe you believe that we should still be allowed to own human beings as slaves. The two things are not that far apart. I in no way feel that human lives should be sacrificed in order to save animal lives, nor do I believe that you can compare human intelligence to that of other great apes, mainly because we are different species. However, I do believe these creatures have as much of a right to live on this planet as we do, and we can better from their existence without exploiting them.

Comments on: Chimps And Salsa: Spain Joins The Anti-Human Movement

By: The Hatter