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Whales and Dolphins: Classified as Persons?Studies show they have similar tendenciesRelated Content
ALASKA - A group of scientists wants whales and dolphins to have the same basic rights as humans, and said they can be classified as persons. Dr. Lori Marino studies behavioral biology at Emory University and is one of several scientists who attended a national science conference in Canada this week to talk about certain species of marine mammals. One of the topics discussed was how dolphins and whales are self-aware and have advanced cognitive abilities. A study done by Marino in 2001 shows how bottlenose dolphins can recognize themselves in the mirror and identify who they are. “They’re aware of their own bodies and thoughts and can think about themselves,” said Marino. She said the marine mammals are extremely intelligent and deserve the right to life. “When we exploit these populations of dolphins and whales in the wild, we’re not only exploiting groups, but we’re exploiting individuals,” she said. “Our traditional religions and philosophies are actually based on looking at all things as living entities, as cognitive thinking creatures and our counter parts to the environment we share,” said Dr. Maria Williams, a Native Alaskan professor at UAA. Williams said more than 150 villages across the state rely on whales for food and whale hunting is part of who they are as a people. Williams said if the resource is gone, Alaska’s livelihood would vanish. |
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Midgardian said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 11:09 PM
Hey, if corporations can be people... At least whale and dolphin political contributions would be less fishy. (pun intended)
82100651BobD said on Thursday, Feb 23 at 11:21 PM
" Dr. " Marino is living in a dream world. Like alot of idiots , she has been educated out of her intellegence . Well , I suppose then they could carry firearms..This type makes me shake my head , hopping they will pull their's out of their you-know-what..STUPID !
82101102Buck said on Friday, Feb 24 at 9:49 AM
Why shouldn't they be classified as people. They are a lot smarter then our politicians.
82162944Taktu said on Friday, Feb 24 at 10:08 AM
Call them what you want. They're still a whale and it's still food for some of us. People like Marino will do or say anything to try and stop hunting of marine animals. Global warming diddn't work(yet),the poor polar bears are losing their habitat, the walrus are disappearing and the sky is falling!! Well...that diddn't work lets make these persons. dr Marino it's easy to sit in your nice Anchorage home and look down on "PEOPLE" who eat sea mammals (and no!!!they shouldn't all pack up and move to where the food you want them to eat is) Has everyone from these institutions become insane? It's become knowledge without wisdom.
82165334Vote said on Friday, Feb 24 at 10:56 AM
Are they going to be able to vote like people?
82171504Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 24 at 11:59 AM
Cows and chickens classified as humans!
82178401Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 24 at 12:16 PM
God provides for what we need to survive on,cuz we respect and take care of his land and believe in HIM for things HE provides,people who don't trust in HIM build farms and raise cattle to provide for them selves!!
82180204Geeze... said on Friday, Feb 24 at 1:17 PM
Plants have feelings too, they react to emotions according to a study. We need to classify all organic things too, they need to be protected and not eaten anymore, selfish humans always eating everything...LOL
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