Science and animals

Jeremy Rifkin expresses his knowledge on how animals are compared to humans in his article “ A change of heart about animals. ” Rifkin argues that science has shown that the differences between animals and humans are less than we think. I agree that animals are very similar if not close to being on the same level as humans. Most people would assume that animals are very different from us; this could be due to the inabilities we think we have to communicate with animals. Jeremy Rifkin states, “ The 300- pound gorilla at the gorilla foundation in northern California, who was taught sign language and has mastered more than 1, 000 signs and understands several thousand English words. “(2) Although I am not a pet owner I am sure that most people have come across a person that has told them their dog “ does not bite”. I think that this also scientifically proves the comparison between humans and animals. I would compare the ability that Rifkin has said about the 300-pound gorilla having the ability to communicate using sign language to a human being able to teach their dogs control towards other animals and humans. Having a dog understand the concept of what should be devoured and what should not is what human parents teach to their new-born babies. This comparison shows the potential knowledge an animal can have just as a human baby. Although animals do not portray sadness, anger and other emotions in the same way a human can, does not mean that the emotions are not there. Who are human scientists to assume what may be going on inside an animals mind? The way in which animals may cope is just as diverse as the many ways humans cope with their emotions. If there were animal therapist I bet this argument would be resolved. I am not asking for any animal experimentation, the end of fur making and for the world to become vegan. There are human experiments that take place just as animal experiments. I just think that animals should get credit for their intelligence. I agree that given the scientific arguments that Rifkin has made animals are more like humans.