Court to rule if chimp has human rights

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 04/01/07 | Kate Connolly

[Pokey78]

He recognises 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.

[yldstrk]

If he can argue his own case, then OK. Otherwise, forget about it.

[Bommer]

My dog does the same thing. It has the rights of a dog until I can see he object in writing. Same should apply for a chimp!

[protest1]

The world gets more insane every day.

[GSlob]

Well, even worse types are on the list of voters. Some of them cannot even recognize themselves in a mirror [or do a butterfly ballot], and Hiasl can.

[Grammy]

Does that mean he will get the vote?

[SteveMcKing]

It's the same egalitarian philosophy within every socialist:

Everything "should" be equal, no matter how unequal the objects being considered.

 

"Why should I stop for a red traffic signal? Green can mean just the same thing... Red has no right to occupy a position over yellow and green!"

[PatrickF4]

So, now we can treat our fellow humans like we've treated monkeys. The possibilities are endless...

[Pokey78]

Only for Democrats.

[Waco]

Will algore buy em a new SUV? Stay tuned. Or stuned!

[M203M4]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This is a farce, a complete and utter disgrace. Human beings have a responsibility to properly manage the creatures we have dominion over - but animals do not have "rights", let alone human rights. We shared a recent common ancestor, big whoop. "Recent" is subjective. OK, apes have some level of sentience, so what? When artificial intelligence gets to the level of apes, what are we going to do, give computers rights as well (hell, that question is already answered - "ethicists" in the UK have already decided that the answer to that question is YES, that computers will eventually need a bill of rights). *HURL*

[NonValueAdded]

No Chimp Left behind?

[359Henrie]

What will the chimp think after they TAX his ass?

[Doe Eyes]

It has the rights of a dog until I can see he object in writing.

Does a dog have more rights than a earthworm?

I can cut worms in half as I till my garden, but cutting dogs in half is different, legally.

[Jack_Macca]

I cannot believe you all fell for that!!!!

LOL

[bygolly]

Just another attempt to increase the democrat voter base...

[discipler]

I get your point, but at least the morons in Florida could learn to punch a butterfly ballot. Monkeys are no smarter or dumber than they were a thousand years ago. This kind of idiocy is fueled by the brainless animal first people and the New York lawyers who are looking for new income streams.

[BobS]

People that act like monkeys need human rights too.

[Jack_Macca]

It's a joke for goodness sake!