Peter Singer, who co-founded GAP, says, 'We need to break the species barrier. Such demands for 'equality beyond humanity' resonate with many, because they are premised on the fashionable view that the differences between humans and apes are not all that significant. It is well known that chimps share 98.4 percent of their DNA with humans. They have even been trained by humans to use rudimentary sign language. According to Jane Goodall's observations of chimpanzees in the wild, chimps not only use, but also make tools - using sticks to fish for termites, stones as anvils or hammers, and leaves as cups or sponges.
GAP emphasises our genetic relatedness to our simian cousins.
Apes may well possess some rudimentary human-like characteristics. Then again, they may not. For instance, we know that apes 'communicate' in the wild. But these vocalisations should not be elevated to the status of human communications. Human beings debate and discuss ideas - constructing arguments in order to change the opinions of others.