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As it is now, there seems to be about as much bureaucracy involved in killing a Swiss goldfish as there is in killing a human being. Surely that violates one of the numerous provisions in the constitution guaranteeing human dignity. The best-known agency for DIY euthanasia, a Zurich-based group called – what else? – Dignitas, recently opened its thanatorium in the same building as Switzerland’s biggest legal brothel. It is one of the few countries in the world where assisted suicide is legal. Switzerland’s passion for the dignity of all creatures great and small, however, rings hollow in view of its treatment of human beings. Funding for their work might get cut off if they offend the dignity of plants. The world’s leading science journal, Nature, recently reported that Swiss biologists are worried. This could mean, for instance, that producing sterile roses or seedless fruit would become an offence under Swiss law. In fact, the committee was unanimous in its agreement that any “arbitrary harm caused to plants morally impermissible.” Genetic modification of plants would be permitted - but only if their “independence”, including their reproductive ability, is ensured. In due course its astonishing conclusions could become law.Īmongst them is that “decapitation of wild flowers at the roadside without rational reason” is essentially a crime. The body in charge of interpreting this Delphic phrase, the Federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology, has just released a discussion paper about the dignity of plants.
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The Swiss Constitution requires respect for “the dignity of creation when handling animals, plants and other organisms”. In 2006, for instance, a researcher was forbidden to give thirsty monkeys a drink of water because a reward mechanism to get them to carry out a task was deemed harmful to their dignity.Īnd if that is not absurd enough, it now seems possible that the ever-expanding boundaries of non-human dignity will include plants. Since then the law has become even tougher. In 1992 Switzerland was the first country in the world to begin to phase out battery hens. Anglers will also be required to take a course on handling fish with dignity. Prospective dog owners will have to pay for and complete a two-part course on the theory and practice of dog ownership. The Swiss are amongst the best educated people in the world, but they are about to be educated even further. Or one rhinoceros, apparently, because the law also covers pet rhinoceroses. It will be an offence, for instance, to keep only one guinea pig or budgerigar. The new law sets rigorous standards for the treatment of all “social animals”. From September 1, Swiss aquariums must have an opaque side to allow the fish live in a natural cycle of day and night. Switzerland is well on its way to becoming the most dignified country in the world, after its federal parliament decreed that goldfish must be protected against physical and psychological abuse.