Drawing the Line

A review by Connie Wright DVM

The question of whether animals should have rights is a very hot topic. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about it, and for most people, the opinion is that animal rights is an absurd, even scary idea. Their fears are fueled by propaganda spread by the anti-rights camp, which likes to portray those in favor of animal rights as people-hating wackos. As a result, no one seems to listen to the other side of the debate. And the other side has a very persuasive case.

 Steven M. Wise is a lawyer with extensive experience in animal protection law. A few years ago, he wrote an important book, Rattling the Cage, a study of why animals have been denied legal rights. The book makes a logical argument that chimpanzees and bonobos should be given basic legal rights. Wise made a brilliant case for our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. In his new book, Drawing the Line,  Wise addresses the question, "If we give rights to chimps, where do we draw the line?" Although most of the public debate about rights for nonhuman animals is philosophical, Wise's argument is a legal defense. Before any judge will ever rule that animals are legal persons and not mere property, lawyers will have to prove that those animals meet some criteria entitling them to personhood. So Wise examines seven species of nonhuman animals to assess whether they meet these criteria. He examines human children, who are born lacking the abilities to qualify and then develop them in their first few years. He then compares and evaluates his selected species: honeybees, African grey parrots, dogs, dolphins, elephants, orangutans and gorillas. Based on scientific research on these species abilities, Wise determines how the law would interpret their qualifications for personhood. The analyses of these species is fascinating reading, and some of the results may surprise you. 

Drawing the Line is thoughtful but entertaining, a much easier read than Rattling the Cage. I would urge even our most skeptical listeners to read this book. At the least, you will find it informative and interesting. But Wise's argument might just have you rethinking your opinions on rights for nonhuman animals.

For more information on Steven Wise's books & the chimpanzees featured in Rattling the Cage & Drawing the Line visit the CEFR web site.                                        

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