All Together Now: Developmental and Ethical Considerations for Biologically Uplifting Nonhuman Animals
George Dvorsky
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This period of history was traumatic in a real sense and it is often considered one of the more regrettable periods of human history. 
Yet the episode raises considerable food for thought and the opportunity for some thought experiments. Would it have been ethical to allow the aboriginals to continue living a Stone Age life? Assuming this is truly an example of cultural uplift, in which ways was it a success and in which a failure? These are difficult questions with complex answers. However, as history has shown, the intermingling and assimilation of disparate cultures was and is an indelible part of the human condition. Information swapping is a developmental reality that has been largely unavoidable.[1]
Conceptions of progress and the rise of cultural relativism
The European colonization of the Americas, along with other similar episodes, is an extremely sensitive area of debate, often leading to discussions that skirt the fringes of acceptability in terms of political correctness.[2]
Part of the problem is the rise of cultural relativism, particularly as it as it pertains to the assessment of ancient life and how it compares to modernity. Objective assessment is often difficult, in part the result of the romantic perceptions many people carry of pre-civilizational existence and the cynical take some have in regards to modern life. Factors contributing to this sentiment include the disruptive nature of technological advance on individuals and cultures, the failed totalitarian experiments of the 20th century, the two catastrophic world wars, the rise of apocalyptic threats, and the calamitous effects of modern society on the environment.
Driving this negative view of modern society even further is the prevailing pseudohistorical romanticization of primitive life evident in popular culture and perpetuated by a number of intellectuals.[3] What the biblical "Garden of Eden" and Rousseauian "noble savage" myths often fail to take into account, however, is how nasty, brutish and short life used to be. A strong case can be made that social and technological progress happens for a reason, namely the steady improvement of conditions and the pursuit of a more dignified and fulfilling life for individuals. Humanity is a self-domesticating species. Virtually all episodes in which primitive cultures are influenced by more advanced ones represent precursors to the biological uplift of highly sapient nonhuman species.
Cultural Uplift of Nonhuman Animals
Culture, as many zoologists can attest to, is hardly the exclusive domain of humans. Animals such as the great apes and dolphins have the ability for not just language skills, but for being able to pass memes down from generation to generation.[4] This raises an interesting question: Given that some nonhuman animals are capable of engaging in cultural activities, and given that we value certain attributes about human culture, is it both possible and desirable to share our culture with other species?
The Great Ape Trust in Iowa[5] is engaging in an activity that is exploring this very issue. In their experiment, bonobos, which are part of the great ape family that include chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, have been given their own house in which to live and dwell.[6] In 2005, organizers placed eight bonobos in a multi million dollar facility in what is hoped will be a successful long term and multi-generational experiment.
Image 3: Kanzai, a bonobo. Copyright 2006 The Great Ape Trust.
The house is equipped with 18 rooms that include a kitchen in which to prepare meals and vending machines that dispense snacks. There are flushing lavatories, an indoor waterfall and walls for climbing. When it comes time to eat, the apes help their human handlers prepare meals in a compound kitchen. The bonobos can monitor the front door with a camera and decide for themselves who can come in – although they are known for welcoming visitors and often taking newcomers by the hand to show them around the complex.
In addition to the rudiments of daily domestic life, the bonobos have access to art supplies, musical instruments and entertainment, including television. Researchers hope that with the right stimulation the bonobos, who already understand a limited human vocabulary, will develop skills that include language, art and music. If successful, the experiment would show that many activities previously thought of as uniquely human are not innate to Homo sapiens.
Footnotes
1. See Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, W. W. Norton & Company, 1999; Wright, Nonzero. (back to top)
2. The field of sociobiology, as championed by E. O. Wilson and Jared Diamond, has faced much criticism over the years and has only recently been considered a credible academic approach to history and social issues. See the Discover interview with E. O. Wilson: Vol. 27, No. 06, June 2006 (back to top)
3. The deep ecology movement immediately comes to mind. See Arne Naess, Ecology, Community and Lifestyle: Outline of an Ecosophy, Cambridge University Press; Reprint edition (October 26, 1990). (back to top)
4. Michael A. Huffman, Acquisition Of Innovative Cultural Behaviors In Nonhuman Primates: A Case Study Of Stone Handling, A Socially Transmitted Behaviour In Japanese Macaques. In Cecilia M. Heyes and Bennett G. Galef Jr., editors, Social Learning in Animals, chapter 13, pages 267-289. Academic Press,
1996; Rob Stein, “'Sponging' Dolphins May Be Sharing Culture”, Washington Post, Monday, June 27, 2005; Page A07.
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5. Visit http://www.greatapetrust.org/ for more information. (back to top)
6. James Langton "Chimps in 'Big Brother house' will learn how to be human", The Telegraph, May 15, 2005; Daniel Dasey, "Watching apes play Big Brother to learn more about ourselves", The Sydney Morning Herald, May 1, 2005. (back to top)