I am not the one saying we should mistreat potentially conscious beings. I am open to opening up basic dignity to other beings should they be found conscious.

>It was never about "can". It's about "should". And trying to wrap yourself in the white coat of science and rationality still won't let you derive a "should" without a "should" as input.

I am using morality, if I didn't use morality why would I care if potentially conscious beings are being mistreated? What do you want to say? You are saying we should never grant personhood to any entity even if the entity is proven to have consciousness? Why are you lecturing me on morality then?

In what way did you mean this is related to utilitarianism, I am not sure I follow. You should be more clear what you meant there.