Home » Science & Nature » Environmental Ethics » Extinction In Retrospect

Extinction In Retrospect

© Robin Greenhalgh

In the past there have been many theories introduced in an attempt to fathom evolution and extinction. These two phenomenons seem to be ones that no one can agree upon or explain conclusively. Of course it definitely is interesting to argue for or against all the new ideas that crop up. One of the most recent to catch my attention is the “hyper disease theory”, which is basically when disease or viruses jump between species.

Even before I began researching this theory, my mind was compiling supportive statements in agreement. Once I began listing all the possible variables, even in my limited knowledge of this area, it had developed a substantial element of believability. At least in my own mind it did! It is the variables and how they work with this theory that I wish to discuss, and hopefully evoke some responses from my readers.

To begin with, I should outline the birth of this theory. Ross MacPhee and Preston Marx are the geniuses responsible for introducing this possibility. It was actually introduced back in 1997 and it is important to note, that there is no conclusive proof in regards to this proposition. Although like many other doings in life, it doesn’t mean that it is not credible. It could be the commencement of an unprecedented insight.

A documented situation that lends to this theory was the infection of distemper to multiple species back in the early 1990’s. This dreadful disease debilitated wild dogs in Africa and even destroyed a large portion of a Serengeti lion population. Ironically thought provoking is, that the disease originated from the domestic dog, thus supporting the “hyper disease theory.”

Of course distemper is on a much smaller scale than was intended with the debut of this hypothesis. The theory was introduced in order to speculate about the demise of the Mammoth. Obviously distemper is not the horrific virus scientists were hoping to discover. It is difficult to contemplate the impact of a virus that is strong enough to wipe out such an immense animal.

Now for the variables I wish to converse about. Firstly, we have human encroachment. Most people are aware of the issues that increasing populations are contributing to, especially with wildlife. Due to our requirement for more space, species are pressured to live in close proximity to each other. It also results in unintended co-habitation between humans and wildlife. These two factors increase the risk of exposure to viruses, carried by individual species. Regrettably, it doesn’t have to be face-to-face contact for contagion to occur. Feces and other bodily fluids left behind can assist the transfer of germs to a new host.

The copyright of the article Extinction In Retrospect in Environmental Ethics is owned by . Permission to republish Extinction In Retrospect in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.