Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”.
Studies into dolphin behaviour have highlighted how similar their communications are to those of humans and that they are brighter than chimpanzees. These have been backed up by anatomical research showing that dolphin brains have many key features associated with high intelligence.
The researchers argue that their work shows it is morally unacceptable to keep such intelligent animals in amusement parks or to kill them for food or by accident when fishing. Some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die in this way each year.
Times: Scientists say dolphins should be treated as ‘non-human persons’
(via Don Eglinski)
January 4, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Since most of us seem to have have long agreed that it is immoral to kill other humans, one can figure that we’ll stop slaughtering dolphins sometime after we stop slaughtering each other, but probably not before. Good luck to all.
January 6, 2010 at 3:42 am
were once land mammals, don’t think they can’t come back if they really wanted to!
the next great war is soon upon us. 0_0