If Homo floresiensis still existed

[AK-Dave]

Some additional information about the "Hobbit" skeletons discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2004 has been published. See this post at the Panda's Thumb for details: http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2010/03/new-hobbit-findings.html

It now appears that the evidence supports the theory that they are indeed a seperate species, evolved from an early Homo species. While reading about this, I got to thinking about what would happen if an isolated group were discovered living in some remote corner of Indonesia (they may have lived on Flores as recently as 12,000 years ago). Would it be ethical to capture some and place them in a zoo? Would they be entitled to the rights we generally reserve for humans or would they be considered animals similar to the existing non-human primates like the great apes?

Does this belong here or in Social Issues & Current Events?

[Trent Wray]

What would you do with a Neanderthal? Put one in a zoo?

[casebro]

Or Bigfoot?

I would suppose it to depend on how they behave? Social structure, whether the can communicate with us at a level higher than Gorillas or Chimps?

[wendyinthewind]

Great topic! i will be watching it, even if i don't know enough to respond to it!

I wonder what the future, more evolved human will think of us, when they dig around and find our bones. Were they animals or were they intelligent? Could they speak? Would they think us human?

Very thought provoking.

[BenBurch]

There was a Star Trek episode where there were two sentient species on a planet, one that was the more intelligent and technological, and the other that they saw as being their "wards" and whom they took care of and created a reservation for where they could maintain their culture. It was stifling to the secondary race.

[Trent Wray]

To find out what to do, just take a mentally challenged human toddler and place them in a zoo and raise them in a cage, to see what happens.

[shadron]

The Ugly Little Boy by Isaac Asimov

[Pup]

Ota Benga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ota_Benga)

[Trent Wray]

Ota Benga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ota_Benga) Wow. That's horrific.

[Schrodinger's Cat]

Interesting question. I think the best answer would probably be to establish a preserve around their habitat and keep contact with them as limited as possible. As a separate species, they likely cannot just be integrated into human society, hold human jobs, etc. Therefor I feel it would be best for them to be allowed to maintain their way of life as they have been, just left alone.

[RussDill]

What would you do with a Neanderthal? Put one in a zoo?

Get them to sell car insurance.

[Trent Wray]

Interesting question. I think the best answer would probably be to establish a preserve around their habitat and keep contact with them as limited as possible. As a separate species, they likely cannot just be integrated into human society, hold human jobs, etc. Therefor I feel it would be best for them to be allowed to maintain their way of life as they have been, just left alone. I think the same should be done on Jersey Shore ...

Get them to sell car insurance. Bada-bing! :)