|
What you are telling us is that there are some bad critters
which we know in South Texas as the Fire Ant, the Boll Weevil,
killer bees, probably even nutria which was introduced for good
cause and has created interest. Then you come along and tell
us there really are some wonderful things that are non-indigenous.
How do we in the Committee determine what is good or what is
bad? Do you have a procedure?
-- Representative Greg Laughlin of Texas, in response to
the Office of Technology Assessment's Report on Introduction
of harmful Non-Indigenous Species into the United States
in 1993
|
Author's
Conclusions:
We have created the ESCAPE website to tell you about the impact of exotic
species in the environment. Exotic species are here to stay but we
can reduce the number of new exotics and try to limit the amount and
impact of invasive species. Like most areas of science, there are ethical
and moral considerations when examining issues relating to exotic species.
Where some see the need to eliminate exotic species, others see aesthetic
value. Where some argue that religion dictates the control of exotic
species, others see the characteristics of these species as designed
by a creator and their success as part of the creator’s divine
plan. Even among scientists and ecologists opinions differ about the
seriousness of exotic species and their impact on the ecosystem.
We
believe that exotic species (those that have been transported or introduced
through human activities) should be controlled or eliminated from natural
areas where possible. We believe that these areas represent a chance
to preserve the earth’s biodiversity, beauty, and uniqueness.
We are saddened to discover European species growing in a Nebraska prairie
or to see starlings and sparrows at our bird feeders. We hope you agree
that what makes the world an exciting place ecologically, spiritually,
and aesthetically is the uniqueness of endemic biodiversity. We believe
that those who argue otherwise are sacrificing these things so that
future generations will live in a severely degraded world that has no
more than half of existing known species.
In
the worst case scenario, we fear that a person blindfolded and transported
to an unknown wilderness of the northern hemisphere would not be able
to determine which continent that they are on based on the living species
they observe around themselves, because these species will no longer
be unique.
We are interested
in what you think. Please submit your answer to us and we will see how
many of our website users are in favor of control.
Back to the ethics page
|
