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MADRID, June 25 (Reuters) --Spain's Parliament (国会) voiced its support today for the rights of great apes to life and freedom.
The Parliament's environmental committee approved resolutions (决议) urging Spain to obey the Great Ape Project (GAP), designed by scientists and philosophers who say our closest genetic relatives deserve rights hitherto (迄今) limited to humans.
"This is a historic day in the struggle for animal rights and in defence of our evolutionary comrades, which will doubtless go down in the history of humanity," said Pedro Pozas, Spanish director of GAP—Spain.
Spain may be better known abroad for bullfighting than animal rights but the new measures are the latest move turning once conservative Spain into a liberal trailblazer.
The new resolutions have cross-party or majority support. They are expected to become law and the Government is now committed to update the statute book within a year to outlaw harmful experiments on apes in Spain.
"We have no knowledge of great apes being used in experiments in Spain, but there is currently no law preventing that from happening," Mr. Pozas said.
Keeping apes for circuses, television commercials or filming will also be forbidden. Keeping an estimated 315 apes in Spanish zoos will not be illegal, but supporters of the Bill say conditions will need to improve.
Philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded GAP in 1993, arguing that "non-human hominids" should enjoy the right to life, freedom and not to be mistreated. In an e-mail to friends following the Spanish parliamentary decision, Singer wrote:" Congratulations everyone in Spain who has worked so hard on this. That's wonderful and very exciting news!"
60. What is Pozas' attitude to the new resolutions?
A. He totally disagree with them. B. He pays little attention to them.
C. He doubts their truth. D. He strongly supports them.
61. Scientists set up the GAP to ______.
A. research the behavior of apes B. study the history of human beings
C. protect great apes' rights D. save the endangered apes
62. According to Spain’s new law, it will be legal to ______.
A. keep apes in the zoo B. conduct experiments on apes
C. keeping apes for commercial purpose D. involve apes in magic shows
63. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A. Should apes have human rights?
B. Spanish Parliament Extends Rights to Great Apes.
C. Great Apes Project founded.
D. Keeping ages for filming forbidden.
