Lining Up

Spain is resolving to grant great apes the "right to life, freedom from arbitrary captivity and protection from torture." Italy, on the other hand, is taking away rights from its Roma (Gypsys) — whether they're citizens or not — responding to them as a sorta "sub-human" species.

So, with certain animals elevated and specific ethnicities downgraded, where again is the line in how different to treat people and animals? In a posting to "Michael's Blog," on whether or not alternative therapies work for pets, there is the logical, validated observation that as people have changed the way they treat themselves, they have changed the choices they make for their pets as well.

It also brings to mind the recent Time article on Stem-Cell Treatments for Pets, which wasn't completely clear whether the stem cell in old Blue's hip (a better choice than hip replacement for the 3+ year old) was there because dog's can get more advanced treatments for what ails them than their human companions, or because people can experiment on animals and consider what happens to them when examining the efficacy in support of a future, similar treatment on people.

Now, will Italy take away the Roma's medical care and Spain provide free care for the great apes?