Lunch at the Labs

The Edge annual question for 2006 is What Is Your Dangerous Idea? and 119 scientists and science-minded thinkers responded with thoughtful essays.

One that particularly interests me is The differences between humans and nonhumans are quantitative, not qualitative" by Irene Pepperberg, because although I agree with her assertion I disagree with her conclusions:

• ... if we believe in a continuum, then we must at least question our right to perform experiments on our fellow creatures
• ... if we believe in a continuum, we must at least question our right to use fellow creatures for our sustenance
• ... if we do not accept a clear "them" versus "us", we need to rethink other aspects of our lives. Do we have the right to clear-cut forests in which our fellow creatures live? To pollute the air, soil and water that we share with them, solely for our own benefit?

All species use their environment for their own "selfish" purposes. What is more natural then one animal killing another animal? Recent research has shown that they do not always do it just for survival, but even it they did, how is what humans do to other animals qualitatively different? A good insect manifestation can destroy a forest as well as us humans.