January 11, 2010
Treat Dolphins as 'Persons', Scientists Say
Their brain size and intelligence impress researchers.
Treat Dolphins as 'Persons', Scientists Say
Their brain size and intelligence impress researchers.
SUMMARY: Dolphins are the world's second most intelligent creatures next
to humans, some scientists claim, and should be treated as “non-human
persons.” The researchers believe their work shows it is unacceptable to
keep these animals in zoos, kill them for food, or even accidentally kill them
while fishing. Some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die this way every
year.
“Many dolphin brains are larger than our own and second in mass only to the
human brain when corrected for body size,” said Lori Marino, a zoologist at
Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia who conducted magnetic resonance
imaging scans on dolphin and primate brains. “The neuroanatomy suggests
psychological continuity between humans and dolphins and has profound
implications for the ethics of human-dolphin interactions,” she added.
Bottlenose dolphins (picture) were found to have the same convoluted folds in
the brain that have been linked with human intelligence.
Recent behavioral studies suggest dolphins could be brighter than even
chimpanzees and reach the intelligence levels of three-year-old humans. The
animals appear to have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self, and can
think about the future. It is also clear that they are cultural animals, learning
behavior from other dolphins and being able to recognize themselves in a
mirror, an ability only humans and great apes were thought to possess.
Other research showed captive dolphins can learn a rudimentary symbol-
based language, solve difficult problems, and co-operate in the wild in ways
that imply complex social structures. In one study, a captive dolphin was
taught to tail-walk, and when she was released scientists were amazed to find
other dolphins learning the trick from her.
Professor Thomas While of Loyola Marymount U. in Los Angeles wants
dolphins to have rights. “The scientific research . . . suggests that dolphins
are ‘non-human persons’ who qualify for moral standing as individuals,” he said.
To read the entire article, click on this link to TIMESONLINE.
COMMENT: Dolphins have long been known to have great intelligence.
However, as impressive as the list of accomplishments for these animals may
be, is it really that much greater than it is for other animals?
Even a non-mammal, the crow with its bird-sized brain, has demonstrated
amazing intelligence and ingenuity. Many animals are social, preferring to
travel in groups rather than individually. Many animals can be taught tricks.
Learning from each other is not unusual; how many baby animals could survive
if they didn't learn from their mothers.
We will want to disagree though with any attempt to give dolphins,
chimpanzees, or crows the same rights as humans. God, the creator of all
living things, has placed mankind is a position above that of all animals. "Then
God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the
earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' " (Genesis 1:26
NIV)
What this means is that humans can use animals for the benefit of mankind,
whether it is as farm animals pulling plows, for transportation, for food, for
medical research, and perhaps even for entertainment. However, since the
higher animals can feel fear and pain, God's command for us to be good
stewards of his creation would forbid afflicting these creatures with
unnecessary pain and suffering and to care for their needs as best we can.
The biggest difference between humans and any animal is, of course, the fact
that we alone possess eternal souls. The Bible indicates only humans will
have to stand before the Supreme Judge on Judgment Day and answer for
their sins. For those who have repented of their misdeeds and come to faith in
Jesus as their Savior, the verdict will be "Not guilty!" Whether or not we will
have animal companions in heaven the Word of God doesn't say, but we know
we will be immensely happy there with or without them.
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your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
How many species of fish are known to man?
About 27,000 known species of fish exist, making them the most diverse group
of vertebrates. Scientists estimate that there are still thousands of fish
species yet to be discovered!
Source: Usefultrivia.com
****************************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including
those containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
****************************************************************************************************
to humans, some scientists claim, and should be treated as “non-human
persons.” The researchers believe their work shows it is unacceptable to
keep these animals in zoos, kill them for food, or even accidentally kill them
while fishing. Some 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die this way every
year.
“Many dolphin brains are larger than our own and second in mass only to the
human brain when corrected for body size,” said Lori Marino, a zoologist at
Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia who conducted magnetic resonance
imaging scans on dolphin and primate brains. “The neuroanatomy suggests
psychological continuity between humans and dolphins and has profound
implications for the ethics of human-dolphin interactions,” she added.
Bottlenose dolphins (picture) were found to have the same convoluted folds in
the brain that have been linked with human intelligence.
Recent behavioral studies suggest dolphins could be brighter than even
chimpanzees and reach the intelligence levels of three-year-old humans. The
animals appear to have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self, and can
think about the future. It is also clear that they are cultural animals, learning
behavior from other dolphins and being able to recognize themselves in a
mirror, an ability only humans and great apes were thought to possess.
Other research showed captive dolphins can learn a rudimentary symbol-
based language, solve difficult problems, and co-operate in the wild in ways
that imply complex social structures. In one study, a captive dolphin was
taught to tail-walk, and when she was released scientists were amazed to find
other dolphins learning the trick from her.
Professor Thomas While of Loyola Marymount U. in Los Angeles wants
dolphins to have rights. “The scientific research . . . suggests that dolphins
are ‘non-human persons’ who qualify for moral standing as individuals,” he said.
To read the entire article, click on this link to TIMESONLINE.
COMMENT: Dolphins have long been known to have great intelligence.
However, as impressive as the list of accomplishments for these animals may
be, is it really that much greater than it is for other animals?
Even a non-mammal, the crow with its bird-sized brain, has demonstrated
amazing intelligence and ingenuity. Many animals are social, preferring to
travel in groups rather than individually. Many animals can be taught tricks.
Learning from each other is not unusual; how many baby animals could survive
if they didn't learn from their mothers.
We will want to disagree though with any attempt to give dolphins,
chimpanzees, or crows the same rights as humans. God, the creator of all
living things, has placed mankind is a position above that of all animals. "Then
God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the
earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' " (Genesis 1:26
NIV)
What this means is that humans can use animals for the benefit of mankind,
whether it is as farm animals pulling plows, for transportation, for food, for
medical research, and perhaps even for entertainment. However, since the
higher animals can feel fear and pain, God's command for us to be good
stewards of his creation would forbid afflicting these creatures with
unnecessary pain and suffering and to care for their needs as best we can.
The biggest difference between humans and any animal is, of course, the fact
that we alone possess eternal souls. The Bible indicates only humans will
have to stand before the Supreme Judge on Judgment Day and answer for
their sins. For those who have repented of their misdeeds and come to faith in
Jesus as their Savior, the verdict will be "Not guilty!" Whether or not we will
have animal companions in heaven the Word of God doesn't say, but we know
we will be immensely happy there with or without them.
****************************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
****************************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
How many species of fish are known to man?
About 27,000 known species of fish exist, making them the most diverse group
of vertebrates. Scientists estimate that there are still thousands of fish
species yet to be discovered!
Source: Usefultrivia.com
****************************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including
those containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
****************************************************************************************************
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| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
