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Endangered Species Over 5,000 animal species worldwide are currently classified as endangered, due to habitat destruction, commercial exploitation, damage caused by intrusion of non-native animals, and pollution. Survival of ecosystems depends on the biodiversity, or variety of plants, animals and habitat. This means that the removal of one species through extinction can jeopardize the entire ecosystem. Hormone/Antibiotic Stock Habitat Loss Transgenic Species Animals with genes from more than one naturally-resulting organism are now being tested in laboratories throughout the world. Genetic engineering compromises the integrity of natural species, thereby threatening established biodiversity. Recombinant DNA technology is radically diferent from conventional breeding. These species thus have the potential to spread their genes very easily through infection, or direct contact, with naturally-resulting species. The genes that make their way into the natural species can have profound impacts on these species. This process has profound implications for the entire gene pool because of the ease with which recombinant DNA can spread in animals. Weedy Species Each year hundreds of new species are introduced into regions from which they did not originate. Most non-native, or weedy, species of animals are introduced into the United States. Fish are often translocated to increase fish stocks in areas of dwindling catch. Birds have been introduced into farmlands to keep crops free of pests; they are also introduced into some areas for hunting purposes. This type of species introduction has a direct effect on the ecosystem, upsetting its delicate balance that nature spent millions of years working to achieve. World Food Supply The practice of consuming animals has had many effects on the planet. Multi-national agribusinesses remove patches of forest for cattle grazing purposes. Animals which are bred for human consumption are often fed with crops such as corn, which puts extra strain on the environment by adding to the resources necessary in the process. Fish supplies have been exploited to their fullest potential as well. |