This is an idea that extends the non-human hominid special treatment in the Animal Welfare Act. New Zealand led the world in offering a small slither of protection to non-human hominids in animal testing. The logic underpinning this move was that non-human hominids are closely related to us and are intelligent, social animals. However, the same sort of sentiment should be extended to cetaceans. These are highly intelligent and social animals. Not only should there be special boundaries placed on these animals for testing purposes but also tougher all round provisions in terms of animal welfare. I am also wondering whether it could make Japanese whaling for 'scientific' purposes illegal under Animal Welfare grounds rather than just relying on the Marine Mammals Protection Act
What do others think?
