New Zealand Recognizes Animals as Sentient

[The Hammer]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

 

[England my lionheart]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

I've lived in New Zealand,I'll be going back when they open the borders again,the dairy industry there was cruel with calves,it's a little bit better now but this is good news,this should be standard for the world imo.

 

[Secret Chief]

It's nice it has been acknowledged but it is only a statement of the obvious. "This being has a central nervous system, do we think it might be sentient? Gosh that's a tough one."
What will the practical effects in NZ society be? I'm guessing sheep farming isn't about to be made illegal.
What about the US? The country first of all needs a leader that is sentient.

 

[Altfish]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

How will angling be affected?

 

[The Hammer]

How will angling be affected?

I am not sure, but the Bill was linked to in the article, maybe it says something?

 

[King Phenomenon]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

Well it's probably good that we test animals for viruses and stuff so we can develop vaccines

 

[The Hammer]

Well it's probably good that we test animals for viruses and stuff so we can develop vaccines

Why not test on people instead. Something that can consciously decide whether or not the risks are worth it?

Edit: Or death row inmates, since we have already deemed their lives as irredeemable, apparently?

 

[King Phenomenon]

Why not test on people instead. Something that can consciously decide whether or not the risks are worth it?

Edit: Or death row inmates, since we have already deemed their lives as irredeemable, apparently?

Well I was talking about viruses that havent nfected the human population but that possibly could

 

[Valjean]

Well it's probably good that we test animals for viruses and stuff so we can develop vaccines

I get the impression you're focusing only on our own species' benefit. How about the animals? Are their interests something to be considered, or does might make right?

 

[Valjean]

These days economic interests seem to predominate. If there's no profit in kindness or compassion, they're unlikely to be factors in any US legislative initiatives.

 

[King Phenomenon]

I get the impression you're focusing only on our own species' benefit. How about the animals? Are their interests something to be considered, or does might make right?

I really love animals I think they're great however I do love my family members more. It doesn't make them less than. It's just two different things. if a family member died from a virus from an animal and possibly could have been saved by studying animals I think that's a good thing

 

[King Phenomenon]

Why not test on people instead. Something that can consciously decide whether or not the risks are worth it?

Edit: Or death row inmates, since we have already deemed their lives as irredeemable, apparently?

If we infect a human with a virus and They die then it's probably not a good idea.

 

[The Hammer]

Well I was talking about viruses that havent nfected the human population but that possibly could

If we infect a human with a virus and They die. it's probably not a good idea

My argument still stands. Infect and isolate, just like we would do to a lab animal. What makes it worse to do to a person, moreso then say a cat or dog? They feel love, pain, fear, and are empathetic, inasmuch as we are.

 

[King Phenomenon]

My argument still stands. Infect and isolate, just like we would do to a lab animal. What makes it worse to do to a person, moreso then say a cat or dog? They feel love, pain, fear, and are empathetic, inasmuch as we are.

Well I can't speak for the majority of people but personally speaking I do love human beings more than I love animals. Maybe that's the majority of peoples reasoning as to why they test animals and not humans. Idk. I mean it would be great if we didn't have to test viruses at all but unfortunately I think we might have to

 

[Katzpur]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

I love it! Way to go, New Zealand!

 

[The Hammer]

Well I can't speak for the majority of people but personally speaking I do love human beings more than I love animals. Maybe that's the majority of peoples reasoning as to why they test animals and not humans. Idk. I mean it would be great if we didn't have to test viruses at all but unfortunately I think we might have to

I agree with it's necessity. I disagree with our application and testing. Test on the willing. Not on the innocent.

 

[King Phenomenon]

I agree with it's necessity. I disagree with our application and testing. Test on the willing. Not on the innocent.

I know personally I wouldn't be willing to be injected with a virus from an animal with no known vaccine, with the potential that it could kill me, just to have that virus then removed from my body and studied for the hopes of finding said vaccine.

 

[Valjean]

Well I can't speak for the majority of people but personally speaking I do love human beings more than I love animals. Maybe that's the majority of peoples reasoning as to why they test animals and not humans. Idk. I mean it would be great if we didn't have to test viruses at all but unfortunately I think we might have to

People naturally love their own tribe more than "The Other." This sentiment was useful at one time. It got us through the Pleistocene.

But with larger aggregations of humans, and, eventually, diverse civilizations, such tribalism becomes problematic. Co-operation rather than competition or conflict becomes the most propitious approach. Many religions emphasize multicultural brotherhood, but the tribalism continues. It's hard-wired, and a powerless Other is particularly vulnerable.

Feeling compassion for The Other is a recent and uncommon anthropological trait, like lactase persistence. In my opinion it's the cornerstone of moral development. The wider the circle of moral consideration, the greater the moral development: family - community - race - country - species; it's a moral evolution.

This cosmopolitanism is often vigorously opposed by economic and political interests, though. "Eat your neighbor" and "hate your enemy" are profitable to many.

 

[King Phenomenon]

People naturally love their own tribe more than "The Other." This sentiment was useful at one time. It got us through the Pleistocene.

But with larger aggregations of humans, and, eventually, diverse civilizations, such tribalism becomes problematic. Co-operation rather than competition or conflict becomes the most propitious approach. Many religions emphasize multicultural brotherhood, but the tribalism continues. It's hard-wired, and a powerless Other is particularly vulnerable.

Feeling compassion for The Other is a recent and uncommon anthropological trait, like lactase persistence. In my opinion it's the cornerstone of moral development. The wider the circle of moral consideration, the greater the moral development: family - community - race - country - species; it's a moral evolution.

This cosmopolitanism is often vigorously opposed by economic and political interests, though. "Eat your neighbor" and "hate your enemy" are profitable to many.

I don't think the fact that somebody loves their son more than let's say a bat being tested for a virus qualifies as being tribalistic, but I respect your opinion.

 

[Twilight Hue]

New Zealand has officially recognized all animals as Sentient beings, and therefore should not be susceptible to thoughtless harm. This includes stopping medical and other forms of biological testing that is done on animals for the sake of humanity. Thoughts? Can we get something like this passed in the US? What will it take for the majority of society to recognize that animals are just as Sentient as we are.

New Zealand Recognizes All Animals As Sentient Beings

I'm sure the animals will be happy to comply themselves.