Yes, we have more complex brains than, say, a horse or a mouse, and we are fully conscious. But all the rest is similar to other mammals. We all start as a fertilised egg which implants and develops in the female uterus to a baby human. Birth is similar to that in other animals and the new-born child is suckled like a lamb or a baby elephant. Development proceeds through similar stages of vulnerability and adolescence to mature adulthood. And as in other mammals, there are variations in physical stature, external features and in sexual orientation. Same sex attraction and transexual gender exist and are no less common in animals. Such variation results from the random blending of genes in the process of fertilisation and the opportunities for difference provided through evolution. We evolved from pre-human animals, and our species continues to evolve irregardless of our beliefs.

And when one compares the inner workings of humans and other animals, we have similar anatomical structures, nervous systems, nutritional needs, digestive activities, physiological processes, immune responses and so on.

Similarly, our social arrangements have a long and evolved history. Like chimpanzees and pre-human hominims, and our close relatives neanderthals and denisovans, early humans lived in small groups based on family relationships. This arrangement provided security, maintained knowledge of local resources and retained skills in making tools and weapons. Later, the groups joined others to form tribes. Much larger populations occurred after settlement and farming. As with grazing mammals, large groups could occur only when extensive and reliable food resources were available. However, modern humans still retain the earlier tendency of loyalty to close relatives and others in small ‘tribal’ groups.

So, given that we are 100% animal in everything but our thoughts and motivations, isn’t it time we reassessed our importance in this small world?