Uplift?

[ca9i]

Recent discovery may lead scientists to research to 'make apes intelligent'.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/uoc--ndg081006.php

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-08/uoc--bgs081506.php

The ancient greeks surmised that Atlantis had monkey servants.
And barring the 'Planet of the Apes' and 'Animal Farm' as a nightmare scenario, animal servants have long been a popular subject of fiction.

Is it possible that we now have the technology within our sight if not our grasp to 'uplift' hereforeto 'dumb' beasts?

Check link...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uplift_Universe