![]() "They do experience empathy," said Brensing. They were even observed cuddling each other after the caged rats were freed. And the results seemed to suggest that the rats preferred helping others than treating themselves. Other animals, such as rodents, have also demonstrated care for one another.įor example, in one study, rats were given the choice of either freeing other rats from a cage or getting a chocolate treat. Primates have a sense of self, he said - they exhibit cognitive abilities, such as logical thinking, and they display empathy. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Studies on empathy in animalsīrensing said the initiative for primates' basic rights in Switzerland is "fully reasonable, scientifically speaking." "It's about actively ensuring that the animals have joy in their lives." "Biologically, adequate husbandry isn't just about avoiding pain and suffering for the animals," said Brensing. Karsten Brensing, a biologist and behavioral scientist, said Germany's animal welfare laws are good.īut he said people don't fully adhere to the laws, such as in providing ethical practices in animal farming, known as husbandry. It's not just about avoiding sufferingĪs for the situation in Germany, some say there's a problem with implementing the law. "A ban on using animals in research would remove the only way of deriving information that's vital for medical, veterinary and environmental science," said Chris Magee, the organization's head of policy and media. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoĪ ban on animal testing would have disastrous consequences, said Understanding Animal Research, a British nongovernmental organization that says it advocates for the humane use of animals in research. Rough ride - The cruelty of animal transports The measures would stop most live animal exports and stop people from keeping primates as pets. That means that "any new legislation have to take into account the fact that animals can experience feelings such as pain or joy," the government wrote in a press release last year. But with it, the UK would formally recognize animals as sentient beings. The UK government introduced an Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill in 2021, which is still passing through Parliament. Switzerland is not the only country where animal rights have been in the news lately. "Science has taught us that they want to live, that they plan for the future and that they want to remain physically and mentally unharmed." 'Animals experience feelings' We know the most about what they want," said Graber. That's why they are campaigning for more fundamental rights - specifically for non-human primates, apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. The law, Graber said, places the interest of humans, no matter how small, over the interests of non-human primates, no matter how big. Switzerland's animal welfare law aims to "protect the dignity and welfare of animals." But Graber said it does not offer sufficient protection to animals. Speaking before the vote, Graber told DW they hoped that other cantons in Switzerland and indeed other countries would also "consider whether we humans are the only ones who can have rights." "It's the first time, globally, that an electorate got to vote on whether non-human primates should have basic rights," said Tamina Graber, head of the campaign for primates' rights at Sentience, the group that initiated the Basel referendum. It would only have applied to public institutions, such as hospitals and the university in town. Neither company current works with primates, and as private companies, Roche and Novartis would have been exempt from any local law on basic rights for primates. Both have used animals in their research to develop drugs. It is also home to two large, international pharmaceutical companies, Roche and Novartis. ![]() But in this specific case the question of whether non-human primates should be given or deserve basic rights, such as human rights, was contentious because of where it took place.īasel is the third-most populous city in Switzerland. It was a contentious referendum, as referendums often are. In a referendum on Sunday, people in the Swiss canton of Basel voted against giving non-human primates the right to life and physical and mental integrity.Īlmost 75% rejected a plan to give non-human primates similar rights to humans.
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