I think we may be able to determine the combination of genetic characteristics that could allow some, or many of the higher mammals to develop language abilities comparable to our own.
This is the sort of possibility described here;
http://www.orionsarm.com/clades/Sapientchimps.html
http://www.orionsarm.com/clades/Enhanced_Dolphins.html
In fact once these animals have access to language, I suspect they will be more readily perceived as intelligent in themselves, even without genetic enhancement of their learning and cognitive abilities.