Human’s+Moral+Obligation+towards+Endangered+Species

Human’s Moral Obligation towards Endangered Species Gabriel Rivera Escuela Internacional Sampedrana

Nathan and Michael are driving on there way back home from the veterinary. As they pass by through a street saturated by yellow flower petals that fall from the nearby trees, Nathan notices that the famous restaurant, “El Golazo”, is opened. “Hey Michael!” he exclaims, “wanna eat some //goliadores//?//”// “//Goliadores//? What kinda food is that?” Michael asks puzzled. “Come on! You haven’t tried them? They are turtle eggs submerged in a delicious black sauce!” “Um, not really interested,” Michael murmurs,” don’t you know these turtles are endangered and that…” “Who cares? Endangered or not they are the best appetizers I’ve ever tried,” Nathan interrupts. Michael grows silent and wonders why Nathan is so indifferent and ignorant. Has he forgotten how much his mother likes the wooden -carved turtle keychain he bought her? Can’t he recall what he felt when he saw the green turtle in the see-through boat in Roatan? Doesn’t he analyze that by promoting the killing of the turtles he threatens the life of many other marine species important to the Garifuna? Doesn’t he get that the turtles stimulate ecotourism, which is valuable for the development of his country? Just like Nathan, many people are apathetic to the treatment non-human animals receive and remain reluctant to help reduce the threats they face every day. People like these fail to recognize that they have a responsibility to save endangered species, plants or animals existing in such small numbers that are in danger of becoming extinct. Humans have a moral obligation to protect animals and save endangered species because they have a fundamental value to society, intrinsic and extrinsic, they are to be appreciated by the future generations and because speciesism is unreasonable, irrational, and cruel.

Well put -- but a couple of questions. And first a comment. Sorry haven't gotten to edit this yet. As always, after you've read the comment and feel you've had a sufficient time to re-compose, let me know and we'll work out a new deadline... now back to the questions.

By 'animals' do you mean all animals? Check out: http://tolweb.org/Animals/2374 for a listing of all possible animals, including mosquitoes, sponges and the like. Would humans have a moral obligation to protect a species that is an animal yet, say, genetically destined to eat and kill only humans -- sort of like a parasitic relationship? It might seem absurd, but philosophers think this way, extending the basic ideas of our thesis to its logical conclusion. Imagine a kind of animal / insect that lays its eggs in a host / human and by doing so kills off the host (very common). Imagine that this animal / insect could be wiped from the face of the planet with little to no consequence to other animals in its chain of life. Would we not be insane to kill it off just for the sake of the "intrinsic" value that this insect's life might possess? Would we humans have an obligation to keep this insect alive, and allow it to reproduce knowing that the only way for it to reproduce would be to kill another human?

If you understand where my line of questioning is going, then you might want to revise the absoluteness of your thesis -- which is also dangerous as you must also think about where in the sand you want to draw your line -- and then justify it. My first thought would be to rephrase your thesis to make it sound like it is in the best interest of the human species to maintain and increase the bio-diversity of life on this planet -- that way it doesn't sound like we are obligated to save the life of an insect whose exists only to kill humans in its own life-cycle, ie. not all animal species deserve a continued existence from a human perspective. 1270516899

The citizens of the world have a moral duty to save endangered species because they are of essential value to societies’ culture, nationality, and surroundings. Non-human animals are a source of artistic stimulation that enriches a society’s background. “ Among its many values, wildlife is an inspiration. This can be observed in the ivory-billed woodpecker paintings by John James Audubon and in William Faulkner’s story “The Bear”, depicting numerous creatures that are now endangered, including wolves, panthers and the Louisiana black bear.” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2005). Promoting the extermination of these animals is morally wrong since it denigrates the world’s cultural heritage. In addition, endangered species serve as national emblems that should be preserved. The Persian Lion, an Iranian and Indian national symbol present in their “ jewelry, vessels, seals, coins, flags, architecture, wall drawings, and even in the Shahnameh, an ancient epic,” has become one of the most critically endangered species (Pai, 2008) (Nielson, 2010). The exceptionally rare lion is being annihilated by the people who poison, shoot, and electrocute them in order to take over their land. The threatening of national symbols like United State’s bald eagle and New Zealand’s Kiwi present the morally obnoxious and unpatriotic behaviors citizens have towards their sacred symbols. Lastly, most endangered species have aesthetic value, making them alluring to the human eye. One of Canada’s greatest appeals is its vegetation; however, many of these exotic plants are becoming endangered. The flowers are being threatened by hikers, gardeners and pollutants. Unfortunately, the issue is exacerbated because many of the “endangered flowers in Canada, such as the orchids, grow in high populated areas, like Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia” (Cicione). The maltreatment towards these plants is morally wrong and should be condemned because they exhibit a natural and unique appeal, embellishing surroundings for humans to appreciate.

Furthermore, humans have a moral obligation to shelter endangered species so future generations can be benefited by their existence as nutritional, educational and recreational agents. Currently facing issues of food shortages, future generations will have to find alternatives in order to feed the growing population. However, humans are narrowing down the options by killing species that may be vital for the sustainability of millions. The crossing of the endangered species the Texas wild rice with the Indian wild rice, which is superior in protein to most domesticated grains, could result in a strain adaptable to other regions. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2005) Depriving the future citizens from these species limits their ability of expansion and worsens their expected status. Additionally, endangered species have educational importance vital to the intellectual enrichment of prospective students. Recently, marine biologists have been optimistic that the study of dolphins might help them understand cervical cancer since they are the “only species besides humans that we know of that can harbour co-infections in the genital mucosa.” (Ians, 2010). The killing of these marine mammals limits the research and development humans will be able to do. Moreover, species like the dolphin have great recreational worth that would be appreciated by the people. “I reached up with my other hand and stroked [the dolphin] and she gave off a shrill squeal of delight. I will never forget the feel of her,” Pamela Conley shares after she enjoyed swimming with these endangered species (Conley, 2010).

Finally, people have a responsibility to save endangered species because speciesism, h uman intolerance or discrimination on the basis of species, especially as manifested by cruelty to or exploitation of animals, is immoral. It is morally wrong to kill animals that do not menace human life in any way. In certain regions of Hawaii, coqui frogs are being exterminated because their “nocturnal noises” has lowered the values of homes. Hawaiians have proposed eradicating the frog by releasing a pathogen. (Minteer, 2005) These actions are intolerable because as Peter Singer, the famous American bioethicist said: “[Just like racists and sexists,] speciesists allow the interest of their own species to override the greater interests of members of other species.” (Paquette, 2003). Furthermore, killing animals irrationally is brutal and atrocious because, just like humans, they have feelings. Explorer Mike Fay describes how elephants suffer as they are being slaughtered for their ivory: “"You can see very clearly how the trunks are sliced off the heads and the tusks are chopped out [expulsing] big pools of blood," ” (Fay, 2006). The selling of ivory has prompted the mass killing of elephants; recently, experts agreed that these high rates will lead to their extinction by 2020 (Elephants Voices, 2010). Lastly, it is unreasonable and immoral that humans consider some species more valuable than others. Humans didn’t bother to save the species of the Pacific yew until it became the source of taxol, one of the most potent anticancer compounds ever discovered (Wilcove & Master, 2008, p. 418-419). By being indifferent perpetrators of the extinction of endangered species, humans prove to be selfish and ignorant, failing to recognize that they have significant medicinal and scientific value.

OK so far... but I think you'll get further trying to convince people that it is in their own self-interest to maintain a diverse bio-system and that preserving as many species as possible strengthens that bio-diversity -- unless of course it is that noxious insect that lays its eggs in a human host and kills him.

 On the other hand, some people argue that protecting endangered non-human animals is unnecessary because their eradication is merely part of the development of a society, the evolution of the biosphere and the natural tensions between species. They argue that the elimination of national emblems doesn’t set a problem for a society’s culture; instead it will promote the adoption of a new animal with which future generations will feel better identified. Furthermore, others communicate that the extinction of certain animals is just part of survival of the fittest and that through adaptation, new species will evolve. They continue by stating that these species will still serve their biological, recreational and medicinal purposes. In addition, some humans claim it is biologically natural to treat one’s species favorably; therefore, saving endangered species is simply a voluntary act of assistance. Some speciesists agree that “m orality is entirely a human construct and is the exclusive province of humanity. It cannot be extended to other forms of life …All other animal species live exclusively by the laws of natural selection and survival of the fittest ” (Gladwell, 2008).

You'll need to extend your arguments against more in your final essay -- this is where things get very interesting. How would you counter someone who firmly takes the position that the extinction of any species is simply nature's way? --I'll let you know how I would argue against someone like this -- if you extend such an argument, you might get the person to concede that even the human species cannot escape it's own extinction if the environment became such... and then if another species were, say, giving off an noxious gas that was poisoning our environment, and we could do nothing about it except die, then by their argument, there would be nothing wrong with that. That would then mean that that person would be arguing that the extinction of the human species wouldn't be a bad thing. Some might actually take that position, just to be consistent, but most of your readers might not find that to be very convincing. More crazy than convincing. Just an idea. 1270596585

However, the extermination of endangered species belittles countries’ nationalities, weakens biodiversity and promotes insensibility and irrationality. National symbols cannot simply be replaced, they have been adopted and cherished by ascendants and are considered invaluable historic and cultural heritage. When New Zealanders are asked for their nationality they proudly respond “I am a Kiwi.” Unfortunately, the state of vulnerability Kiwis are currently facing threatens New Zealand’s culture. Furthermore, although many argue it is merely survival of the fittest, this natural phenomena is a process of natural selection, however, the mass slaughtering of many species is not a natural choice. Moreover, although some state that animals shouldn’t be included in our moral community because it is biologically natural to support one’s own species; non-human animals do support members of other species. “Kara, a Golden Retriever in Cheshire 'fostered' six stray kittens after giving birth to the same number of puppies. ” Cross-fostering between species is proof that different species do not and should feel indifferent towards each other.

Humans have a moral responsibility to save endangered species because they are of indispensable value to society’s culture, they hold many benefits future generations have the right to obtain and they are conscious and sensible moral entities. It is of great relevance to nationality that endangered species are saved in order to protect cultural and historic heritage. Furthermore, apart their appearance in national emblems, in literature and the arts, endangered species serve as icons that help people commercially. The Giant Panda, one of China’s most appreciated animals has been used commercially because of its attractiveness, both in Panda Express, the Chinese restaurant chain and “Kong Fu Panda”, the outstanding animated film. In addition, depriving future generations from the valuable research and development they can gain from endangered species are selfish and unreasonable. Future citizens have the right to learn first- hand by observing and studying non-human animals. Finally, humans have a moral duty to preserve and conserve endangered species because their instrumental, medicinal, recreational and aesthetic value. As the United Nations Charter states: “ These species are [have to be] protected based on the idea that they have a right to exist, just as all humans do. Every form of life is unique, warranting respect regardless of its worth to man."

Well written mechanically and your structure is what is asked for in the rubrics. Work on addressing the issues I wrote about above and let me know when you'll be able to complete your final draft. So far, I like your essay; it shows a lot of promise. 1270596585

media type="custom" key="5636749" I think this essay is very well written. It has an interesting induction to approach the reader. It also has many facts and reliable organizations to support the topic and make the reader understand. The essay is esay to read and esay to understand to it is very well done! Personally i think the conclusion is very well done and has very good closing remarks.Sofia Chahin

=__ References __= Cicione, M. (n.d.). //Ehow.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Endangered Flowers in Canada: http://www.ehow.com/about_5439364_endangered-flowers-canada.html Conley, P. (2010). //Go Nomad.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Swimming with Dolphins in Honduras: http://www.gonomad.com/family/0012/conley_dolphins.html //Elephants Voices.// (2010, January 14). Retrieved March 12, 2010, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5760602: http://www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-interests/-killed-for-ivory.html Fay, M. (2006, September 4). //NPR.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Scores of Elephants Killed by Poachers in Chad: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5760602 Gladwell, M. (2008, September 10). //Max Gladwell.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Why We Can’t Save the Planet and Shouldn’t Care About the Environment: http://www.maxgladwell.com/2008/09/why-we-cant-save-the-planet-and-shouldnt-care-about-the-environment/ Ians. (2010, February 23). //Thaindian News.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Dolphins can help scientists understand cervical cancer: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sci-tech/dolphins-can-help-scientists-understand-cervical-cancer_100324794.html Minteer, B. (2005). Why we need an “ecological ethics”. //Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment: Vol. 3//, 333. Nielson, P. (2010, February 8). //Suite 101.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Endangered Asiatic Lion of Persia: http://persianhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/endangered-asiatic-lion-of-persia Pai, M. (2008, July 8). //Mohan Pai Blogger.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Vanishing Species I: http://mohanpaiblogger.blogspot.com/2008/07/vanishing-species-asiatic-lion.html Paquette, P. (2003). //Philosophy Questions and Theoires.// Toronto: Patty Pappas. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2005, July). //Fish and Wild Life Service.// Retrieved March 12, 2010, from Why Save Endangered Species: http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/pdfs/Why_Save_End_Species_July_2005.pdf Wilcove, D. S., & Master L. L. (2008, October). How Many Endangered Species are there in the United States? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 3(8), 414-420. Retrieved March 12, 2010.