Here is an editorial from David Suzuki on the topic of whether or not slugs
have dignity, and the impact this perception may have on policy issues.
http://enn.com/news/enn-stories/2002/01/01242002/s_46220.asp
It's been pretty well known in endangered species circles that the so-called
'charismatic mega-vertebrates' were more likely to both have public empathy
and scientific support (although I think there are two Universities who have
the slug as a mascot, U. of Santa Barbara and The Evergreen University? Is
that right?).
We also touched on whether or not there were differences between taxa it
terms of ethical regard. While I argued that there are real reasons for
differences in ethical treatment, I'll also argue that in terms of
endangered species policy, there ought to be less difference. So there!
Steven
“Our human ecology is that of a rare species
of mammal in a social, omnivorous niche. Our
demography is one of a slow-breeding, large,
intelligent primate. To shatter our population
structure, to become abundant in the way of
rodents, not only destroys our ecological
relations with the rest of nature, it sets
the stage for our mass insanity.”
Paul Shepard
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