Should Chimps Have Human Rights?

Started by TehBorken, Apr 04 07 06:49

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TehBorken

 Should Chimps Have Human Rights?

A Brazilian court has already issued a [a href="vny!://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/2005/11/chimp-becomes-litigant-granted-habeas.html"]writ of habeas corpus in the name of a chimp[/a]. And now an Austrian court may well [a href="vny!://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2047459,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12"]decide that a chimpanzee is a 'person'[/a] with what [a href="vny!://www.newscientist.com/blog/shortsharpscience/2007/03/great-ape-on-trial.html?DCMP=Matt_Sparkes&nsref=chimp"]up until now[/a] have been called human rights."

From the story in the Guardian/Observer:

"He recognizes himself in the mirror, plays hide-and-seek and breaks into fits of giggles when tickled. He is also our closest evolutionary cousin. A group of world leading primatologists argue that this is proof enough that Hiasl, a 26-year-old chimpanzee, deserves to be treated like a human. In a test case in Austria, campaigners are seeking to ditch the 'species barrier' and have taken Hiasl's case to court. If Hiasl is granted human status — and the rights that go with it — it will signal a victory for other primate species and unleash a wave of similar cases." [hr style="width: 100%; height: 2px;"]  
This is especially ironic to me because not long ago certain "leader of the free world" took away its citizens' habeas-corpus provision.


The real trouble with reality is that there's no background music.

Lise

Absolutely. He's probably better than most human beings I know.
Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry.
Bill Cosby.

tenkani

This is especially ironic to me because not long ago certain "leader of the free world" took away its citizens' habeas-corpus provision.
   Even more ironic, said world leader looks like a f*cking monkey.
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of Juan Valdez
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of coffee forever.