What do you think? Should chimpanzees be granted 'personhood'?

by fulltimestudent 31 Replies latest jw friends

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  fulltimestudent

  There's a current court case in NY which is hearing that question right now. The precise issue is the continued captivity of two chimpanzees, (Leo and Hercules, names bestowed by humans) in a medical research laboratory at Stony Brook University.

  I suggest that the application has some merit. Are not all of us "animals?" And, chimpanzees are provably related to humans with very a close genetic picture. They generally have an intelligence similar to a younger child, and can be taught to communicate.

  So what's your take on the application?

  More at: http://www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/smart-living/lawyer-and-animal-activist-steve-wise-calls-for-chimpanzees-to-be-granted-personhood/ar-BBiXEBp?ocid=mailsignout
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  LoveUniHateExams

  Myself, another student and my lecturer discussed this case a week ago.

  First, I think that there should be a good standard of husbandry for captive chimps. Medical research labs should be checked out to see how they measure up to this standard.

  However, this lawyer wants chimps to be recognised as people in the eyes of the law?

  Captive chimps are described as 'unlawfully detained'. Really? If they're freed, and live elsewhere, should the chimps pay rent? If the chimps commit a crime, could they be prosecuted?

  To argue that chimps be recognised as people is hugely controversial. Even the argument for recognising higher cognition in chimps as evidenced by tool use has not been settled (any number of recent papers offering anecdotal evidence vs. experiments by Povinelli et al.).

  If chimps are to be seen as people, what responsibilities would be then be placed upon the chimps?
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  Oubliette

  They are a separate, distinct species.

  This does not in any way suggest that we, as humans, shouldn't seriously reconsider our treatment of animals in general and certain other species in particular. But chimpanzees can never be "people" because they aren't.

  Words have meaning and changing the definition to fit our personal "beliefs" or "worldview" or "fantasy-of-how-life/the universe/and everything should be" does not change reality.

  It just doesn't.

  We can all hug and sing "Kumbaya" but the world is still a messy place where there are snakes in the grass and lions eat antelopes.
  
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  SonoftheTrinity

  Their habitats certainly deserve more respect on the one hand, but on the other hand, you can't put the interest of a handful of non-humans above a million humans in a developing country.
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  Barrold Bonds

  if they're considered people can we fuck them?
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  cantleave

  I wonder how would we treat Neanderthals if they were not extinct?
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  Tempest in a Teacup

  So far as they can pay taxes too, no problem!
  
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  nicolaou

  Chimps, Bonobos, Orangs and Gorillas are our cousins. Like it or not there is kinship amongst us, if we are persons so are they.

  Each one of these creatures displays a level of intelligence and emotion that we recognise. They are self aware, have complex family and social structures and can learn!

  Of course they are not people like us, but they are people . . . of a different kind. Each one is an individual with his or her own personality, sense of humour, weaknesses, friendships and needs.

  I don't know much about the law but I know they are persons.
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  Splash

  Barrold Bonds if they're considered people can we fuck them?

  By the look of your avatar, your parents already did!

  Tempest in a Teacup So far as they can pay taxes too, no problem!

  I wonder how the smartest chimp compares to the most severely disabled person.
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  Tempest in a Teacup

  I was just being sarcastic.
  

  Barrold Bonds if they're considered people can we fuck them?

  Splash By the look of your avatar, your parents already did!

  LOL