Fiction:UAN Act 2

The following list of rights for semi-sentient beings has been created by Xaeon, Chief Scientist of the Gjigantrox Interstellar Empire. The rights are intended to protect the liberties of semi-sentient beings.

The following rights are hereby accorded to all creatures designated as semi-sentient by the Inter-Species Scientific Alliance:

1. That said creatures may not be subjected to tests which cause them physical discomfort beyond a mere pinch or the like.

2. That said creatures may not be placed into situations or areas where said creature’s life is endangered, or where said creature is in danger of suffering serious physical discomfort, as defined above.

3. That said creatures shall not be kept as pets, unless said creature expresses a desire to remain in the care of a sentient being. The validity of this desire shall be judged in court if such a situation arises.

4. That said creatures may not be judged by the law if said creatures commit acts that violate the law. Said creatures will instead be judged by a scientific committee, which shall judge whether or not said creature should be place in captivity, and for how long it should be placed in captivity, if it is judged to be dangerous. Said creature shall under no circumstances be subject to death because of its actions.

5. A semi-sentient creature may never be killed by a sentient being, except as a last resort in self-defense or in defense of another being, within reason. Any who kill a semi-sentient being under other circumstances shall be persecuted for murder.

6. That said creatures shall not be kept in captivity for scientific purposes for any amount of time unless the Inter-Species Scientific Alliance votes, and holds that the majority of its members approve of said captivity.

7. That any semi-sentient creature kept in captivity because it is dangerous may not be subjected to any sort of scientific testing. This is included in these rights so that scientists will not judge a creature dangerous simply so that they may perform tests on the said creature.

Addendum 1. If the need does arise, the Inter-Species Scientific Alliance may, in the interest of gaining important scientific knowledge, temporarily repeal Right 6 as applied to a certain semi-sentient race, for a period of time lasting no longer than six standard months.