Abstract This paper explains that the three elements of language ? abstractness, grammar, and cultural ramifications ? are not unique to human language, but merely more advanced or merely more evident from our perspective than the language of animals. The author points out that chimps and parrots in laboratory settings seem capable of grasping abstract terms (such as "mad" or "bad" or "blue"), generating new combinations of words to express new ideas, and referring to distant events or objects. The paper relates that animals may be more driven by instinct than by learned behavior, yet they show a propensity, in many cases, to learn language.
From the Paper "Grammar is one of the strictest supposed differences between human and animal languages. Grammar involves the organization of discrete words into complex sentences that have specific required orders and syntaxes. Even human sign language tends to require certain specific syntaxes. While animals appear capable of understanding syntax, there is little evidence that they use it in communication (though it is difficult to prove a negative). According to one influential chimp research, Terrace, "No chimpanzee has learned sign language. They"ve certainly learned some gestures, but sign language is not just a system of gestures. It's a full, grammatical language with its own systematic grammar, like Latin.? The lack of grammar is evident in cases such as that of Koko, one of the stars of the talking-chimp movement."
Abstract This paper is in two parts. The first part reviews and summarizes past work in ape language research, including the Gardners' work with the chimp Washoe, Francine Patterson's work with Koko the gorilla, Lyn Miles's work with Chantek the orangutan and Sue Savage-Rumbaugh's work with bonobos and chimps. The second part is a proposal for an experiment to teach American Sign Language to a group of bonobos and then use these communicative abilities to test their memory and planning abilities. It includes descriptions of bonobo behavior in the wild and captivity, an argument for gestural language as the first human language and a description of the means of teaching and testing the bonobos in the proposed experiment. The paper includes a table and illustrations.
From the Paper "During the Oligocene epoch of the Tertiary period, a small monkey-like creature lived in the rainforest trees in central Africa. About thirty million years ago, this primate ancestor diverged into two distinct species; one would father the line of Old World monkeys, including baboons and macaques. The other would become the predecessor of modern apes and humans. Around twenty-two million years ago gibbons split away from that line and formed a branch known as the lesser apes. Six or seven million years later, orangutans too diverged from the ape lineage and migrated to the Asian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where they remained highly arboreal. Another eight or nine million years passed, during which this ape line began to spend more time on the ground, and gorillas split off to become their own species. Two million years more went by, bringing us to the Pliocene epoch, which began about five million years ago. It was at this crucial point in evolutionary history that our ancestors and the ancestors of modern chimpanzees and bonobos took different paths, the former leading to bipedality, ground-based life, and hominization, the latter eventually splitting into two more distinct species about three million years ago, both of whom would remain remarkably similar to us physically, behaviorally, emotionally, and intellectually (Goodall, Hook, Leakey, Linden 1992)."
Abstract This paper explores the use of animals in the U.S. armed forces. Making reference to the dolphins used in the Navy and the chimps used by the army, the paper shows how using these animals has helped advance the efforts of the two bodies. The chimps were specifically used in space and air travel to explore the effects of short-term and long-term flights on the body, while dolphins in the Navy were useful in search and rescue, as well as for their sonar abilities.
From the Paper "Man's countless endeavors in the improvement of human civilization has encouraged him to further his research and studies about fields of study that are yet to be confronted by society. The United States government, in its attempt to increase its power and knowledge in different realms of life, has developed various programs geared towards the promotion of easier space flight and travel and improved "weaponry" for its war efforts as an example. These programs have been specifically formulated and implemented by the US government in its efforts to achieve enough knowledge about space travel and flight and an increased advantage over its enemies during times of war."
Tags: space, air, travel, nasa, monkey, animal, rights, war, sea
Abstract This paper covers the history of the modern animal rights movement and examines and evaluates the current federal legislation regarding all aspects of animal testing and treatment of laboratory animals. Individual animal tests and alternatives to using laboratory animals are discussed from different viewpoints. Reasons for either supporting or condemning many different types of animal tests in the areas of medicine, cosmetics and scientific research are looked at.
From the Paper This paper covers the history of the modern animal rights movement and examines and evaluates the current federal legislation regarding all aspects of animal testing and treatment of laboratory animals. Individual animal tests and alternatives to using laboratory animals are discussed from different viewpoints. Reasons for either supporting or condemning many different types of animal tests in the areas of medicine, cosmetics and scientific research are looked at.
Abstract There are a number of ethical questions regarding the use of animals for biomedical research and particularly the use of the primates who are closest to humans genetically and who have been shown to have capacity for language and reason. Even if it is determined that humans have the right to use animals to further their own purposes then the question arises as to when and for what reason is the suffering or death of an animal justified. Also there is great debate on the validity of research that rests on the premise that primates such as chimps are close enough to humans to give accurate information. As new methods such as computer modeling and cell and tissue cultures are developed, they are showing higher levels of accuracy for some tests.
Abstract This paper presents various opinions, which state that chimpanzees possess very similar intelligence capabilities to humans and that they need to be studied further in order to gage the extent of their skills.
From the Paper "In conclusion, the intelligence of chimpanzees can be demonstrated by addressing five specific conditions. First, language research has shown that chimpanzees can learn to use words and symbols in order to make contact with humans (some can also use numbers quite effectively); second, they have the capacity to create and utilize tools in order to obtain food and in some instances as weapons in aggressive situations; third, chimpanzees are highly skilled at hunting where cooperation between individuals is a necessity; fourth, they are obviously fully aware of their own existence and are capable of playing tricks; and lastly, they are excellent problem-solvers and can use their brain power in cognitive ways, all of which proves that chimpanzees are indeed intelligent which makes them one of the most fascinating creatures on the planet to study and at times revere."
Abstract The paper details a recent study undertaken with the goal of determining how and to what extent human children exhibit the same developmental characteristics as chimpanzees do when they are young. The paper outlines a number of similarities which emerge between the two groups and also unveils the methodology employed to arrive at these conclusions. Finally, the following paper ends by offering some shortcomings of the research conducted and where the authors hope further research will lead in the future.
Abstract The paper discusses the largely North American pursuit of debating whether the chimpanzee can be taught to speak. The paper explores the numerous experiments and hypotheses and the contention among social scientists. The paper describes how this work has continued since the 1950s and with earlier behavioral work in the 1930s, yet chimpanzees show little aptitude or interest in speaking with Homo sapiens.
From the Paper "The human enterprise of teaching chimpanzees to communicate in English has continued, as a venture of psychologists, as well as primatologists. In the 1920s and 1930s, Robert Yerkes examined the behaviour of chimpanzees in their African habitat, noticing that they would imitate his actions but not the sounds he made. Before long, the first of what has proven a succession of husband and wife chimpanzee-parents and language teachers materialized as in Kellogg & Kellogg who, in the early 1930s, stated that the vocal apparatus of the chimpanzee had made their teaching efforts impossible."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. The writer notes that the code contained within the DNA determines whether the organism turns out to be a fish or a dandelion, a person or a chimp. Further, the writer points out that it also creates the characteristics that make one individual similar to, but still different from, another. The writer explains DNA testing and notes that now that there are more reliable procedures, such as DNA testing, there are fewer people who are wrongfully convicted. The writer discusses convictions as they relate to DNA evidence.
From the Paper "Wrongful convictions are not often talked about in the news, but they are occasionally mentioned when they are incredibly significant, such as a man who was wrongfully convicted 20 years ago and then was freed based on DNA evidence or some other new way of determining whether the person was actually guilty. These are the exceptions rather than the rules, but these do happen, and they can significantly affect the lives of many people. Not only is the life of the wrongly accused changed forever, but his or her family and friends are all affected as well. This is a very serious concern, and naturally the criminal justice system tries to avoid wrongful convictions as much as they can. It is not always possible, however, to avoid wrongfully convicting someone if there is a great deal of circumstantial evidence or if there are witnesses who claim the person is guilty of a particular crime."
