Video Discussion 2 - Biodiversity - Google Docs

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Anthropology

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Oct 30, 2023

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Video Discussion 2 - Biodiversity I. The Real Planet of the Apes The Real Planet of the Apes allows viewers to peak into a world of animal testing and the people who are involved in it. It shares the history of Monkey Island, a place on the outskirts of Liberia where chimpanzees now roam freely but at one point were experimented on and infected with diseases such as hepatitis for research purposes. When you initially hear about animal testing and get a glimpse into what it entails, it may make the typical person's skin crawl. To think about innocent species being brought into an unfamiliar place to be poked, prodded, killed or infected with diseases all for the benefit of one species, it seems very inhumane and more so selfish. It gives off an anthropocentric stance that one species, humans, are more valued than every other species to exist. And, depending on who you were to ask, there are those that would agree. But then there are those who believe all species are of equal importance. Then there are people like Betsy Brotman, the director of Vilab, who sees both sides, a biocentric side. Animal testing has always been a sensitive subject to approach because when can we justify the exploitation of one species for the gain of another? But, looking into historical medical advancements, we see other species often being the entire reason humans have breakthroughs with medications, vaccinations, studies, theories, or procedures. When we look at an example of an animal testing program such as Vilab, I believe we get to see a biocentric side to an anthropocentric procedure all because of the people who were

involved in it. Throughout two civil wars, numerous threats, and the death of her own husband, we see Betsy and the caretakers of Vilab never cease to continue research and care of the chimpanzees in their facility. Betsy even took it upon herself to protect and come to the aid of the community of women and children in which the Liberian civil war was ravishing. Inevitably, due to conflicting opinions back in the states and statistics coming back of chimpanzees being poor test subjects to work with in regards to AIDS or HIV research, Vilab closed its doors. During its time in operation, Betsy oversaw and led research that resulted in life saving vaccines for Hepatitis B and a screening method for Hepatitis C. When a research facility shuts its doors, the typical procedure is for the animals to be put to death, but that is where Monkey Island is different. The chimpanzees were instead released to live out their final days in freedom, with most, if not all, recovered from whatever diseases they once were infected with. The NY Blood Center, the institution that launched this program, still oversaw the care of the chimps with the help of Liberian support staff and caretakers who once worked at the lab and are well known/trusted with the chimps. I believe, ethically, we need to find a balance between having a human centered motive and a respect for other species of life. I understand the scientific benefits of animal testing, even though it hurts the animal lover in me to my core. Scientists like Betsy agreed with the notion that chimps shouldn’t be used in experiments and said it best herself, “If you are going to do research on chimps, you should set up a system so that at the end of the research there should be a place that they retire to and that they can live a nice life to whatever is available”. II. Forest Man of India and Zimbabwe’s Women’s Anti-Poaching Group

The two videos outlining the efforts made for biodiversity conservation by Jadav Molai Payeng and the Zimbabwe Women’s Anti-Poaching Group were inspiring. It shows that with passion and some discipline, you can make great changes for the world and for those around you. I think overall that these approaches can be used in other parts of the world in making significant conservation efforts but they do come with caveats. In regard to Jadav Molai Payeng and the forest he cultivated over 30 years, I am unsure that we would be able, individually, to make the same impact he did for his village. I say this because there are laws and restrictions for land use, not only for where I live but I’m sure globally. I wouldn’t be allowed to start planting trees wherever I want because it’s not my land to own. However, I think the bigger picture is that introducing biodiversity back into the environment can be done, but in many cases, it would have to be done through programs and permitting. Moving onto the Zimbabwe Women’s Anti-Poaching Group, I think that these women are so strong and influential. I definitely believe that conservation efforts such as theirs can and should be extrapolated to other parts of the world and would make significant impacts. When I watched that video, I saw women who had already been through hard trials in their own lives and who wanted to make better lives for themselves and to protect the endangered animals around them. To me, this approach is foolproof. It’s determination mixed with a passion for conserving the environment that helps these women succeed. If we were to get more people like them, people who aren’t corrupted by money, comments, or bribery, the world would most definitely be a more biocentric place.

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