Introduction
Jared Diamond’s book The Third Chimpanzee is a fascinating narration of the evolution of the human species, its remarkable connection with common and pygmy chimps, and the future of humanity based on how it has dealt with the environment to date. Part I of the book looks at how humans are related to other apes, with the author emphasizing that the DNA structure of modern humans is 98.4% similar to that of the two closest chimps (Diamond 18).
As the author narrates, this relationship between chimpanzees and humans is closer than the similarity between chimps and any other species, including gorillas, monkeys, and orangutans. Throughout the book, Diamond flawlessly makes the readers think critically on matters regarding taxonomy, the classification of species, and the darker sides of humanity throughout history. Exploring these themes helps enhance understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the animal world. It opens room for speculation if two species are equally intelligent as humans.
Taxonomy and Classification
Chapter one of the book starts with Diamond acknowledging that humans have for centuries understood where they fit in the classification system based on characteristics such as feeding babies and having hair. The writer notes that humans fit in the primate’s classification because they have flat fingernails, have toenails rather than claws, use their hands for gripping, have a thumb this is opposed to other fingers, and have a hanging penis rather than an attached one, among other features (Diamond 13).
The author prefers to use a DNA clock to access the biological differences among species rather than the subjective family tree used by anatomists to classify species. The genetic makeup of monkeys is 93% related to that of humans, revealing that gibbons are the most distant forms of apes (Diamond 17). Diamond proves that among the remaining groups of apes comprising humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, the anatomy of orangutans is the most distinct fact supported by this species’ geographic residency. The orangutan is confined to southern and eastern Asia, while gorillas and chimpanzees are confined to central and eastern Africa.
Diamond suggests that humans are more closely related to common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and pygmy chimps (Pan Paniscus) than these two chimpanzee species are related to gorillas. Based on the genetic clock, this would mean that gorillas branched from the family tree of humans and chimps slightly before the split between the evolution of chimpanzees and humans. The author proposes that future classifications should classify humans in a group of higher apes alongside ordinary apes and bonobos.
However, humans have misrepresented these facts based on their belief that humans are inherently different. This subjective observation has resulted in the Encyclopaedia Britannica classifying humans and apes into different families called Hominidae and Pongidae. However, a taxonomic cladistics classification, according to Diamond, should have three species of homo, with Homo sapiens being humans, Homo Paniscus being pygmy chimps, and Homo troglodytes for common chimps (Diamond 21). This classification would affect how many people view themselves and lead them to accept that they are just other species in the ape family.
Diamond’s argument that humans are a type of chimpanzee is convincing as he profoundly explains that a slight genetic difference causes the observable significant differences between humans and chimpanzees. The author stresses this point by revealing that a particular enzyme could bring a big biological difference between two people, such as one having a large head or short limbs (Diamond 22).
Showing that some bird types could be almost identical and have a significant genetic difference is evidence enough to show that the observable differences are not the best way to measure the proximity among species, advocating for genetic-based classification instead. The author also shows that observation-based classification could be subjected to biases since how people categorize species is not value-free but somewhat entwined with people’s perceptions of the species. However, the author has introduced the concept of humans and Neanderthals without explaining how their evolution came to be different from that of humans.
Ethics
This book’s exploration of classification and taxonomy makes the readers challenge their views and ethics concerning how humans should treat other species, particularly those closely related to them, such as chimps. If the chimpanzees were reclassified to belong to the genus Homo as Diamond suggests, the implications of this change would have significant impacts that exceed just human classification of species science. Today, humans have realized the proximity of chimpanzees’ genes to that of humans, and many medical research institutes have used this similarity to test some of their medical procedures (Van et al. 11).
These close human relatives are often subjected to harsh treatment, with many being crudely confined to the zoo. In contrast, others are subjected to slow deaths as scientist investigates the impacts of certain viruses and drugs. Governmental organizations across the globe have adopted different regulations about how chimps and other animal species should be treated. Since humanity is seen to be granted dominion over other species, some governments do not regulate how these animals are treated. However, changing the classification system would result in governments altering their rules and regulations to protect the chimpanzees.
In addition to moral considerations and altering the legal code of conduct, chimpanzees were reclassified into the same family and genus as humans. Organizations that use this species to conduct a medical research experiment would be in danger of intense scrutiny and criticism. This fact would make the organization reconsider the move.
Diamond mentions that although some humans are subjected to worse treatments than chimps in prisons, cases of imprisoned individuals being killed or subjected to pain in the name of medical research are unheard of (Diamond 7). Reclassification would result in zoos where chimpanzees are placed and converted into homes or species rather than a conservation and research center. Reclassification would also ensure that chimpanzees are given more medical attention since their medicine is the same as many humans.
Reclassifying chimpanzees into the Homo family would make many people change their attitude toward environmental conservation. Research shows that chimpanzees thrive in the natural environment and eat various food items, including honey, seeds, flowers, and insects (Wilson 15). Having all members of society understand how close humans are to the common chimps and bonobos would result in many aiming to conserve these natural habitats for these shared ancestors. Governments would thus be keen to set up measures that prevent deforestation in society, and this move would result in the perseveration of the general ecological system. Environmental conservation plan benefits brought about by this classification would also trickle down to humans, thus resulting in all plant and animal species mutually benefitting.
Restructuring the binominal system of nomenclature rules to have the genus homo have both humans and apes, as suggested by Diamond, will result in people challenging their views concerning coexistence with other species. Humanity would thus be forced to grapple with the issue of how to interact with animal species that share similar or related cognitive traits. Individuals with a culture of dominating non-human beings would be in danger of being negatively scrutinized.
The effect is comparable to the incidences where the oppression against the black community was viewed as correct until it was discovered that black people and whites shared identical genetic makeup. Should this reclassification become a reality, people must question whether chimpanzees should be treated as humans under the law. This question will also extend to the nature of animal rights based on their genetic makeup, as mammals cannot be treated the same as insects.
Speculation of Coexistence of Humans and Other Intelligent Species
In the book, author Diamond shows that Neandertals became extinct after the human species as we know it crossed from Africa and the Middle East into Europe. Although some sources say adverse climatic conditions could have caused the cause for the Neandertals’ disappearance, the author confirms that the Neandertals disappeared around 40,000 years ago when modern humans reached Europe (Hajdinjak 254).
If two were two intelligent hominid species in today’s world, the interaction between the two would be more complex and dynamic. The two species would be forced to cooperate as each sought to ensure survival. Humans and other intelligent species would also be forced to compete intensely for the available resources. The two groups would adopt different ideologies and cultures for life and economic policies.
The groups would initially have differing languages, cultures, and belief systems. As the groups interact, they mutually benefit each other by creating opportunities for sharing each group’s innovations, promoting mutual enrichment, and creating a universe backed by creativity. The ability to use different communication languages would also allow the two groups to intermarry and produce humans with shared characteristics.
This intermarriage was impossible when the European-based Neandertals came into contact with African-based Homo sapiens, as the inability to communicate made the interactions impossible (Diamond 26). The success of shared prosperity when the two groups came into contact, would largely depend on the ability to communicate as the most defining factor that made humans more successful than the Neandertals, who have a more significant memory than humans.
The existence of two major intelligent and well-communicating species would raise deep issues concerning ethics, morality, legal issues, and how each species should be treated. Since it would be more likely that each species would have its geographical location and government as globalization and mixing of the two species happens, considerations of morality and personhood would have to be agreed upon. Each of the two groups would have to accept the other as equal humans, as this would reduce conflict and promote peace across the world. The two species would have to intermarry and produce hybrid offspring that would end the differences in identity.
If two intelligent species existed and humans learned that chimps also belonged to the same family as themselves, they would be more likely to accept them as equals and grant them legal rights. Animal species exhibiting characteristics similar to those of the two intelligent species would be less likely to be mistreated. Moreover, many people would be forced to become vegetarians as eating animals would be viewed by many people as cannibalism.
The competition and collaboration between the two species would contribute to more rapid technological development. Initially, the two groups would evolve distinctly, each making its discoveries that are unique and different from the other. However, as the groups would eventually be able to spread across the world, they would come into contact, and through the help of language, technological advancements would be shared. It can be safely speculated that the technologies ranging from health, transportation, and means of communication would differ.
Each group would benefit from the collaborations, but soon, competitions would begin on the technological front. Like today, with different nations, technological advancements would come at the expense of the environment, and the two groups would have to form treaties to ensure environmental sustainability. The new species would first resist each other but, with time, would have to welcome each others’ views. Having another large-brained human-like creature would result in humans treating all animals with care.
Conclusion
Diamond’s book exploration of the themes of taxonomy, classification, and ethics promotes an enhanced understanding of the complex relationship between humans and the surrounding environment, particularly closely related animals. The author’s suggestion that chimps be reclassified into the Homo family will impact how these genetically similar cousins to humans are treated. Governments and medical research institutions must review and change how they handle ape family animals in zoos. The reclassification will significantly impact ethics and the nature of the human treatment of the environment. The book opens room for speculation of how the world would be were there another large-brained animal.
Works Cited
Diamond, Jared M. The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal. HarperPerennial, 2007.
Hajdinjak, Mateja, et al. “Initial Upper Palaeolithic Humans in Europe Had Recent Neanderthal Ancestry.” Nature, vol. 592, no. 7853, 2021, pp. 253–257. Web.
Van, et al. “Human and Chimpanzee Shared and Divergent Neurobiological Systems for General and Specific Cognitive Brain Functions.” volume 22, 2023, pp. 1-17. Web.
Wilson, Michael Lawrence. “Insights into Human Evolution from 60 Years of Research on Chimpanzees at Gombe.” Evolutionary Human Sciences, vol. 3, 2021, pp. 1–26. Web.
Loading...
