curl-6 said:
So what about the Guinea Worm? It's a non-microbial animal that can only survive by harming people. |
That would make it the exception to the rule. I believe it is ethical to look at other alternatives before wiping out an entire species, however, if that species has no effect on the ecosystem and its mere existence only threatens another species; it should be removed.
Eg. Shark culling is not ethical as it causes more harm than good. In fact more people die from drowing than they do shark attacks. On average 7 people die worldwide from shark attacks, so it is not ethical to kill off millions of sharks to prevent further human casualties. To prevent such casualties, it would be best to educate people (do not swim where the water is murky etcetera). Shark attacks are essentially media hyperbole. Shark culling also tends to lead to other marine life to be harmed in the process as well as the ecological problems that arise from such methods.
Generally the easy way out is just to kill something without considering the consequences in the grand scheme of things.
The Guinea Worm on the otherhand does not factor in the ecology, so I would say that removing this particular specie is in fact ethical.
