In some countries, laws have been promulgated to protect animal rights. 1992, Swiss law recognizes that animals are "beings" rather than "things"; In 2002, Germany wrote the animal protection clause into the Constitution. Pan-Ape Project, founded by Australian scholar Peter Singer and headquartered in Seattle, USA, is now seeking the adoption of its Pan-Ape Manifesto by the US government, which calls for giving an "equal community" composed of two subspecies of gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees three basic rights: life, personal freedom and freedom from torture.
Critics believe that animals can't be considered as enjoying spiritual rights, because they can't discuss social contracts or make moral judgments, can't take care of the rights of others, and even have no concept of rights at all. Roger Scrutton, an animal rights scholar, believes that the logic of these people is that "only human beings should enjoy rights because they are responsible".
Some critics of animal rights believe that although there is nothing wrong with using animals for food, entertainment or scientific research fundamentally, legislation should be made to protect these animals from unnecessary suffering. This view is called "animal welfare", and some established animal protection organizations also hold this view, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.