From New Internationalist, is animal testing necessary to advance medical research? (and a response) Two of the central philosophical issues that emerge in discussions of human imprisonment prove instructive in thinking through the ethical issues raised by captivity for non-humans — autonomy and dignity. What distinguishes humans from other animals? The animal you are: Paul Snowdon examines our intuitions about minds, persons and animals. The intelligence of beasts: Cognition researchers move past "chimpocentric" theories, raising new questions about human uniqueness. Translation technology may let humans speak with dolphins. The owners of exotic or unconventional pets in Alex Arzt’s “Human-Animal” photographs range from nurturing to obsessive. The pet industry has proved remarkably resilient to the downturn, as humans buy gourmet meals and bottled water for dogs. Can dogs read our minds? USPS-canine relations still troubled: Yep, dogs do occasionally bite, and there are plenty of mail carriers who can attest to it, according to new U.S. Postal Service rankings. A review of In Defence of Dogs by John Bradshaw. Hounded out: Why dogs are struggling to fit into modern life. Are cats bad for the environment? The new Journal of Animal Ethics throws cat among pigeons. A look at the 7 sleaziest mating rituals in the animal kingdom. The authors of a study called High Frequency of Postcoital Penis Cleaning in Budongo Chimpanzees do not beat about the bush. How to have fun like monkeys, whales and foxes: An interview with Jonathan Balcombe, author of The Exultant Ark: A Pictorial Tour of Animal Pleasure. Has the “animal gimmick” flick finally lost its way? A suit of armour is a bear necessity: Ig Nobel prize winner has a new book out about his research into bear-proof suits.
