Planet of the Apes, Animal Welfare at its Core
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, with James Franco, comes to DVD today. I've always enjoyed a good Sci - Fi especially ones that involve animals. I love seeing how different our world can be because of science, radiation or the unknown crashing into our planet. Rise was awesome! I really liked the way they built up the storyline and the ending was fantastic. My mind knew the animals were CG but I still had a hard time watching certain scenes. This movie really makes you think about what animals go through in their own private existance and how we affect them.
Rise really got me thinking about a few topics:
1. I personally have a hard time justifying animal research. I believe these animals are giving their lives for us so they deserve dignity, respect and a certain quality of life. A research animal may undergo hundreds of blood draws and countless biopsies in just a few years time. They may die from the program they are involved in or be afflicted with a lifelong illness. It's important that we don't forget their life is important to them.
2. Diseases effect animals in a similar way to humans but not the same. Animals are built with different tolerances and adaptability to outside stimuli, so the storyline which I won't ruin, is spot on for how real disaster could take place .
3. Obedience doesn't equal intelligence. Humans often think that if an animal doesn't want to do something that the animal is dumb or defiant. Many police dogs would not wait for a command to stop an offender who is attacking their handler or how many farmers have told the story of their dog disobeying only to find the dog knew of a newborn calf or lamb that was hidden.
4. That brings me to my favorite point that I've been mentally expanding on since seeing the movie. If dogs were suddenly able to have the same intelligence as us and could speak, what would this do to our world. I highly doubt they would take over the world to rule over us like the Apes. I think dogs are master manipulators without words so if they could be on the level with us it would be quite interesting. There would be an influx of people buying only the best mattresses, food and tennis balls. I can hear Roscoe now, "You don't need to go to work we can go to the park" or "I love you so much and you're so beautiful. I think you deserve the 10,000 thread count egyptian cotton sheets." Our society would become better in many ways if we could communicate. Dogs have a great way of working things out and co existing. They are loyal and dutiful when it comes to the human species. Who knows what the future of science holds for our canine companions.
