becoming human beings? human being:

–noun

1. any individual of the genus Homo, esp. a member of the species Homo sapiens.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/human%20being

human = human being

=>

the human race = humanity = humankind = humanity = genus Homo

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humanity

Chimps almost changed their species from Pan Troglodytes to Homo niger.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=dBjHK4RLoqYC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=%22chi mpanzee%22+AND+%22homo+niger%22&source=bl&ots=ahk3 YMUEsQ&sig=TQxPqvQ6I836gZA7ewDQUhBqYwc&hl=en&ei=UQ BeSsyOJY_kNZD7-L8C&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimpanzee

Thus, the chimps ALMOST became human beings, yes?