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Dolphins deserve same rights as humans, say scientists
Dolphins deserve same rights as humans, say scientists
Dolphins should be treated as non-human "persons", with their rights to life and liberty respected, scientists meeting in Canada have been told. Experts in philosophy, conservation and animal behaviour want support for a Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans. They believe dolphins and whales are sufficiently intelligent to justify the same ethical considerations as humans. Recognising their rights would mean an end to whaling and their captivity, or their use in entertainment. The move was made at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Vancouver, Canada, the world's biggest science conference. It is based on years of research that has shown dolphins and whales have large, complex brains and a human-like level of self-awareness. This has led the experts to conclude that although non-human, dolphins and whales are "people" in a philosophical sense, which has far-reaching implications. 'Self-aware' Ethics expert Prof Tom White, from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, author of In Defence of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier, said dolphins were "non-human persons". "A person needs to be an individual. If individuals count, then the deliberate killing of individuals of this sort is ethically the equivalent of deliberately killing a human being. Intelligent cetacean behaviour • A member of a group of orcas, or killer whales, in Patagonia had a damaged jaw and could not feed. The elderly whale was fed and kept alive by its companions. • Dolphins taking part in an experiment had to press one of two levers to distinguish between sounds, some of which were very similar. By pressing a third lever, they were able to tell the researchers they wanted to "pass" on a particular test because it was too hard. "When you place dolphins in a situation like that they respond in exactly the same way humans do," said Dr Lori Marino. "They are accessing their own minds and thinking their own thoughts." • A number of captive dolphins were rewarded with fish in return for tidying up their tank. One of them ripped up a large paper bag, hid away the pieces, and presented them one at a time to get multiple rewards. • In Iceland, killer whales and fishermen have been known to work together. The whales show the fishermen where to lay their nets, and in return are allowed to feed on part of the catch. Then they lead the fleet to the next fishing ground. "We're saying the science has shown that individuality - consciousness, self-awareness - is no longer a unique human property. That poses all kinds of challenges." The declaration, originally agreed in May 2010, contains the statements "every individual cetacean has the right to life", "no cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude, be subject to cruel treatment, or be removed from their natural environment", and "no cetacean is the property of any state, corporation, human group or individual". It adds: "The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this declaration should be protected under international and domestic law." Psychologist Dr Lori Marino, from Emory University in Atlanta, told how scientific advances had changed the view of the cetacean brain. She said: "We went from seeing the dolphin/whale brain as being a giant amorphous blob that doesn't carry a lot of intelligence and complexity to not only being an enormous brain but an enormous brain with an enormous amount of complexity, and a complexity that rivals our own." Dolphins had a sense of self which could be tested by the way they recognise themselves in mirrors, she added. "When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror and know that's you, you have a sense of 'you'," said Dr Marino. "They have a similar sense. They can look in a mirror and say, 'Hey, that's me'."
Do you like this text? Where was the conference? Who is the author of “In Defence in dolphins”? What positions include in the declaration? Do you know that dolphins have sense of self?
In my opinion, this text is a very cognitive and interesting. I like dolphins very much. I have been in a dolphinarium many times. Also, few years ago I went to the sea and swam near dolphins. They are really very witted and lovely. I advise all to read this article.
I very like dolphings=)They are so nice and clever!!!When I was a child I wanted to worked with these wonderful animals=)I watched a lot of intersting programmes about dolphings=)
This article is really interesting.Dolphins are amazing mammals.I think people should care and protect dolphins,because these mammals are not many.I saw these nice mammals a few times when i was at sea.
It cannot be denied that dolphins are the most intelligent animal. BUT... I think that people should pay attention to all animals. The most important problem that should be solved is a hunting of animals. Because of this a lot of species become very rare.
I agree with FoxyT. Dolphins are really very clever. I want to say that they are beatiful. I think every person wants to swim with this wonderful animals. I saw wild dolphins. It was a magnificent sight!!!
I know that dolphins are very intelligent. But I didn't know that they are so clever! I am glad that scientists raised the topic of banning hunting of dolphins and whales. I think this is important because dolphins help people in many ways. They are our friends.
The dolphin is one of the smarter animals in the world. Structure of dolphins' brain is simular to the human brain. Also there are other similarities between dolphns and humans. I think they deserve their own rights.
I completely agree and support the American Association! Dolphins are not ordinary sea creatures. They are very intelligent, kind, and have consciousness. They can sing, care, treat, and even talk)) These mammals are worthy of respect. Although all animals are worthy of respect. Do you agree with me?
