I recently stumbled upon this site

http://www.greatapeproject.org/

I had never heard of this until today. I think this is such a wonderful thing. For those of you unaware of it here is their statement.

The idea is founded upon undeniable scientific proof that non-human great apes share more than genetically similar DNA with their human counterparts. They enjoy a rich emotional and cultural existence in which they experience emotions such as fear, anxiety and happiness. They share the intellectual capacity to create and use tools, learn and teach other languages. They remember their past and plan for their future. It is in recognition of these and other morally significant qualities that the Great Ape Project was founded. The Great Ape Project seeks to end the unconscionable treatment of our nearest living relatives by obtaining for non-human great apes the fundamental moral and legal protections of the right to life, the freedom from arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and protection from torture.

Anyone know a lot about this?

I think some in the AR movement have criticized it for appealing to the apes' likeness to humans and excluding other animals like chickens.

Personally, it seems like a good project to me.

I have the Census Book which is pretty interesting. I haven't read the Great Ape Project book yet but its on my list. I donate to the Project as well. There's an MP in Spain who has introduced legislation that would sign Spain onto the Declaration.

I think some in the AR movement have criticized it for appealing to the apes' likeness to humans and excluding other animals like chickens.

Personally, it seems like a good project to me.

Peter Singer is the co-founder of the Project and I asked him a question about it at a lecture and he made mention that the Project was intended to be an effort to make baby steps as it were towards greater and more radical goals. If other great apes are given personhood, that will be the first crack in specieism and will a step towards true animal rights as opposed to mere animal welfare which is really what most accomplishes in the movement have been.

Yeah, I read about that years ago in uni. I think Australia (or was it New Zealand?) was making good progress with it, but not many other countries are interested. They have too much money invested in ape based research to even want to consider it.

You should check out Next of Kin by Roger Fouts. Great, emotional, education book about Washoe, the first signing chimpanzee

Yeah, I read about that years ago in uni. I think Australia (or was it New Zealand?) was making good progress with it, but not many other countries are interested. They have too much money invested in ape based research to even want to consider it.

You should check out Next of Kin by Roger Fouts. Great, emotional, education book about Washoe, the first signing chimpanzee

Its made great progress in Europe and the United States as well. In the US, chimps are no longer killed after they are experimented on by are required to be retired to a sanctuary or zoo. And in the UK, all great ape research is prohibited.

Great Ape Project breaking news: http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1233629#post1233629