Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness

The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness in Non-Human Animals was publicly proclaimed in Cambridge, UK, on July 7, 2012, at the conclusion of the Conference, at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, by Philip Low, David Edelman and Christof Koch. It was written by Philip Low and edited by Jaak Panksepp, Diana Reiss, David Edelman, Bruno Van Swinderen, Philip Low, and Christof Koch. The Declaration was signed by the conference participants that very evening, in the presence of Stephen Hawking, in the Balfour Room at the Hotel du Vin in Cambridge, UK. The signing ceremony was memorialized by CBS 60 Minutes. Download a copy of the Declaration

Some changes that have taken place since Dr. Low wrote the Cambridge Declaration:

Boliva

• Supreme Decree 4489 of April 21 2021 on animal welfare

Brazil

• Brazilian Senator Supports ban on animal cosmetics testing
• Declaration of Curitiba

Brussels

• Brussels Parliament Recognises Animals As Sentient Beings

Canada

• Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act
• There is also a movement to shore up animal cruelty laws.

Colombia

• Colombia Bans Wild Animals in Circuses

Denmark

• Animal Welfare Act of 2020

France

• Animals have feelings, French parliament rules
• The Toulon Declaration

India

• India Declares Dolphins ‘Non-Human Persons’
• Animals accorded same rights as humans in Indian state

New Zealand

• New Zealand Legally Recognises Animals As ‘Sentient’ Beings

Portugal

• Declaration of Lisbon
• Animals no longer considered ‘things’ from May
• President of the Republic promulgates diploma banning wildlife in the circus
• Decree protecting animals in the Azores

Spain

• Supreme Court puts definitive end to torture of bulls at Toro de la Vega

Switzerland

• How to kill a lobster: humanely, say the Swiss

UK

• Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill

USA

• NIH Will No Longer Support Biomedical Research on Chimpanzees

Thanks to the declaration, more people realize we do not need to wear animals, turn them into furniture, food, trophies or entertainment.  It is time for people to understand there is a more advanced way for Biotech than to rely on non-human animals. 

 

---