Sentient Species

Sentient Species

According to Union Law (Assembly Decision 2999 -56-) any group[3] of life forms of a common source and existing in the same environment, displaying any form of self awareness are sentient. This is an important distinction, as the trade or exploitation of a sentient life from regardless of origin, nature or contact status is strictly prohibited. (Not even a Kermac could be sold or his society exploited.)[1] A sentient species has the fundamental right to life[2] and to its immediate environment. Meaning a native sentient species has the indisputable right over its native planet (moon) etc. Such an environment can not be exploited and must be vacated if Sentient species desires this. Union Science Council (after a Science Corps examination) can determine the status of sentience and non sentient species if disputed. New discovered life forms must be evaluated by the Science corps.

[1] Exploitation is clearly defined in Union law, but basically means no Union entity is allowed to profit from the natural resources, the immediate environment and belongings of a sentient being.Disregarding this makes the entity committing it, punishable under pirate laws. [2] These rights cease to be valid if a) the sentient species is dead b) the sentient species is officially declared 'Hostile' and the Assembly declared war upon the species. (Contact Level -5) [3] A sentient species can be defined by a single member