Judge Recognizes Chimpanzees As 'Legal Persons'
- 9 years ago
A judge has granted two chimps who are kept at Long Island’s Stony Brook University for biomedical experiment purposes a writ of habeas corpus.
Chimpanzees are regarded for their human-like qualities, including intelligence, but that hasn’t helped them in gaining much in the way of human-like rights.
That is, until just recently.
A New York Supreme Court judge has granted Leo and Hercules, chimps who are kept at Long Island’s Stony Brook University for biomedical experiment purposes, a writ of habeas corpus.
In doing so, she has effectively recognized the primates as being legal persons.
The ruling also allows for the possibility that they will be freed from their current environs and duties, as keeping them can be deemed unlawful detention.
It’s now up to personnel from the university to make a legally based case to the contrary.
Should the institution be unable to do so, it’s hoped the chimps will be moved to a sanct
Chimpanzees are regarded for their human-like qualities, including intelligence, but that hasn’t helped them in gaining much in the way of human-like rights.
That is, until just recently.
A New York Supreme Court judge has granted Leo and Hercules, chimps who are kept at Long Island’s Stony Brook University for biomedical experiment purposes, a writ of habeas corpus.
In doing so, she has effectively recognized the primates as being legal persons.
The ruling also allows for the possibility that they will be freed from their current environs and duties, as keeping them can be deemed unlawful detention.
It’s now up to personnel from the university to make a legally based case to the contrary.
Should the institution be unable to do so, it’s hoped the chimps will be moved to a sanct