When I use the term "lower life form", I am not exerting any particular superiority, but rather a reference to our position on the "food chain" or other taxonomic structures. Let's face it, we're way up there. And unless I miss my guess, you were intending the same usage.
Besides, as socially unacceptable as this may be, Homo sapien IS the dominant species on the planet, rendering all other species somewhat servile. Does this mean it is right to use other species at our whim? No, of course not, but sometimes it is a necessity. And while technology is having a greater obviating effect on this necessity, it still exists.
As Uncle Bob said, this may be a minefield laid down by the Ipsos. But more likely, it is a social more that is alien to them (go figure) and is a shocking concept. Either way, it will require some extremely delicate explanation in order to proceed with normalization of relations.
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