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New York appeals court rejects “legal personhood” to chimpanzees

Saturday, December 6th 2014 - 08:21 UTC
Full article 11 comments

In the first case of its kind, a New York appeals court has rejected an animal rights advocate's bid to extend “legal personhood” to chimpanzees, saying the primates are incapable of bearing the responsibilities that come with having legal rights. Read full article

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  • Monkeymagic

    Argies have human rights....why not chimps?

    Dec 06th, 2014 - 09:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Some of us no doubt think that the chimp is more intelligent than your average argie, certainly more than the trolls we find on here.

    Still a bit difficult to prove the ”responsibility” thing though.

    I just hope Tommy is happy and contented with his life alone: they are gregarious creatures after all.

    Dec 06th, 2014 - 10:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @1
    Only if you are in the government.

    Dec 06th, 2014 - 12:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Giorgio C. Tsoukalos

    1,2,3

    Then remember, don't come crying when I insult Anglos. You kinda ask for it and if you don't like it, then you are all masochists to boot.

    Dec 06th, 2014 - 06:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Monkeymagic

    I wont come crying when you insult Anglos, Toby. I think your jealousy is hilarious.

    Still fancy your cousin because you can't find a proper girlfriend?

    Dec 07th, 2014 - 10:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @4
    Perhaps you could hire Steven Wise so that he could represent the Argies and regain their civil rights. Your lawmakers accuse other lawmakers who accuse other lawmakers who accuse other lawmakers. Christ what is going on? You only have to say something about the Government and all hell breaks loose, what happened to free speech in Argentina?

    Dec 07th, 2014 - 12:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    So this is how the Planet of the apes came to be true,

    new York, you decision may well send Cesar to visit you..
    larf or what lol

    Dec 07th, 2014 - 08:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GeoffWard2

    '.... it was not possible for him (Tommy the chimp) to understand the social contract that binds humans together.'

    This is only partly an issue of 'responsibility' (because we all know that social relationships are profoundly important to chimpanzees) but can not be exercised or understood by a chimp that is held in isolation. Tommy may perceive elements of human social interactions - feeding, sexual and dominance/subservience ... but, as these may be largely hidden from the chimp, any poor understanding is the fault of humans.

    A social *contract* is underpinned by an implied written document - again a problem for a non-human primate.

    As for a social contract that binds *chimps* together - though not a written document - there is no doubt whatsoever that the behaviours of this primate group conforms to a parallel and sophisticated pattern of anthropoid social structures.
    This theme was bleakly examined in sci-fi role-reversal form in The Planet of the Apes, et seq.

    Dec 07th, 2014 - 08:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    Monkey. Tobi is a latch key kid. His physical date is his momma.

    Dec 08th, 2014 - 12:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • golfcronie

    @9
    Did “ TOMMY ” take this to court and did he hire Steven Wise to speak for him? why can't “ TOMMY ” speak for himself as it is HUMAN right to defend himself. The world has gone crazy or is it these so called “ Do gooders ”?

    Dec 08th, 2014 - 01:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    The world has gone crazy because of AND despite of the Do Gooders.

    Dec 08th, 2014 - 07:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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