The Great Ape Project. Equality beyond humanity.

The Great Ape Project (GAP) is an appeal of 36 scientist from different dis ciplines aiming at the legal equalisation of the non-human great apes (chim panzees, gorillas and orang-utans) with man. The appeal is expressed by a n umber of essays stating zoological, genetical, ethological, anthropological , ethical and psychological knowledge and, based on these arguments, demand ing the abolition of the species barrier between human beings and great ape s. The central point of the initiative is the "Declaration on Great Apes", cla iming the inclusion of great apes in the "community of equals" and thus sec uring three basic rights for all great apes: 1. The Right of Life: 2. The P rotection of Individual Liberty; 3. The Prohibition of Torture. Not only experiments with great apes and their their capture from the wilde rness will be banned, but it is also intended to enfranchise as many great apes as possible from research laboratories and zoos. As a legal basis fr t he achievement of basic rights most of the authors plead for the idea of co nferring the moral status of person" on great apes. Criticism of the GAP is due to anthropocentrism. Rejection is especially ex pressed by advocates of pathocentric ethics who argue that the species barr iers will not be abolished but only shifted, running then between the great apes and the remaining living beings. However the GAP resulted in a greater retention in the use of apes for expe riments in several; industrial countries. Additionally, the popular literature published by ethologists in the passed decades has supported a more responsible attitude of the public towards pr imates. Despite of all efforts the survival of the great apes is greatly endangered within their native countries.