Ape Medicine

Are humans the only animals that practice medicine? In this episode, two scientists share surprising observations of orangutans and chimpanzees treating wounds–their own and others'–with plants and insects. These discoveries challenge ideas about uniquely human behaviors and offer insights into animal intelligence, empathy, and the evolutionary roots of medicine.

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Credits

Origin Stories is a listener-supported show. Additional support comes from Jeanne Newman, , Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and the Joan and Arnold Travis Education Fund.

Origin Stories is produced by Ray Pang. Our editor is Audrey Quinn. Theme music by Henry Nagle. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Lee Roservere.

[briq]

I remember the amazing orangutan story being reported. You brought up interesting points that are really worth considering: how did the ape know what to do to treat his injury? Where did this knowledge come from? How can he appreciate the delayed results from his ministrations? Great questions that require more research!

[peteswan]

This is amazing. Could it be instinctive behaviour? Could instinctive behaviour be inherited? I’ve been watching a lot of Denis Noble.

[tamjammy]

Both of these examples are fascinating. I could say maybe that would say more about us and our preconceived biases than it would about our fellow primates. How much ink has been wasted arguing about who the first toolmaker was? The temptation to see our own group/species as "special" or somehow 'exceptional" is always present....but rarely insightful.