From David Hulme
I am no animal activist, neither am I a scientist defending research on
animals. So I speak from a reasonably neutral position. But I do object to being
forced to choose between a child and an ape
(Editorial, 13 February, p 3).
Surely this is all about inclusiveness, not choice. I would want to protect
both the child and the ape—and any other animal—against pain and
suffering. Unfortunately, no legal system on Earth can ever guarantee that. We
cannot even protect ourselves from each other. Still, I applaud the attempt to
give apes legal rights because it helps us explore new ways of being.
And a final thought: we can only hope that if we ever meet extraterrestrials,
they will give us legal rights, despite our lowly position in the Universe.
Stockport
