OK, I have kept out of this until now, and I will in the future -- I want to run an even-handed pro- and con- story. But I MUST comment on this:
You're absolutely right. I contend that one's humanity has nothing to do with one's genes. Some people make the decision to live as humans and shoulder the prerequisite responsibility; some decide that they can't be bothered with ethics, morality, or strength of character, and are animals.
Some animals are the best persons I have ever known. They may not actually be people in the genetic sense, but they are persons because they have personalities. One of my family's dearest friends for the past 20 years seems to be dying, our sweet cat. The love and understanding she has truly is greater than many people's. Of course, we're heartbroken. I just want to express the thought that I agree with Chuck that one's humanity has nothing to do with one's genes, and offer a minor corrective, as I know he didn't really want to be insulting to animals: some animals do have morality, ethics and strength of character. The people who can't be bothered with those virtues aren't animals like them, they're just jerks. -- Joe