Chimpanzees, Gorillas, and Parrots are able to communicate with human beings, demonstrating the ability for abstract thought, and holding a theory of other minds raises serious ethical questions about the “human” rights of such animals.
Already most farms have strict requirements for the humane treatment of cows because their emotional discomfort affects the productivity of milking. Providing a comfortable environment for cows that promotes their emotional well-being is simply good business. It is not some leftist hippy nonsense like many scientifically ignorant pundits would like us to think.
Our society has recognized the importance of humanely treating animals, going so far as to adopt the Animal Welfare Act. Many states have adopted or are in the process of adopting laws to regulate the practice of chaining dogs without supervision or the similarly inhumane practice of declawing cats. Both scientists and human rights activists agree that animal experimentation must be restricted to only the most pressing needs and then it must be strictly regulated to ensure it is as humane as possible.
My immediate concern is for the many species of primates and their well-being. Consider Coby, a chimpanzee abandoned by owners who taught him sign language and the apparent frustration he feels at suddenly being deprived of those communication tools we take for granted. Writing this being off as merely an “animal” in order to absolve ourselves of responsibility to him is a cop-out.
Is preservation or integration the best solution to the dilemma of primate well-being? We have established sanctuaries all around the globe. We even have havens for primates retired from scientific experimentation.
In Coby’s case, he has acclimated to human interaction and his well-being relies on that interaction. Setting him free to live in a sanctuary or reserve is not an ideal solution. Primates have neocortexes just like human beings, allowing them greater flexibility in adapting to their environment. Primates used in psychological and scientific experimentation are not adapted to life in the wild. What should we do with them?
My own humble suggestion, one I truly believe would make a difference and it’s crazy enough that I can hope for PETA either backing it or lobbying for it:
Allow these primates to form cultural sanctuaries, teach them our means of communication, open a dialogue between our species. If chimpanzee’s can sign, then we can sign with them. If they can compose sentences on computers, then the world can converse with them.
Why force them into a retirement where they will live in forests they are unaccustomed to and a lifestyle they were not raised with? Give them the option of voluntary continued interaction with humans rather than an enforced return to the primitive.
In Dr. David Brin’s “Uplift” saga, the human race has proactively raised the consciousnesses and capabilities of chimpanzees. We know from experimentation that this is a real possibility. Chimpanzee’s trained to communicate with human beings would raise awarenessi* on both sides of the exchange. Chimps would learn ways to express the abstract concepts we know exist in their minds. Humans would find reflections of their consciousnesses in the minds of another species, and with that, a more accurately defined worldview.
* My feeble attempt at the plural of “awareness.” : )