read the excerpt from \the environmental ethic.\. it is fashionable in some quarters to wave aside the small…

read the excerpt from \the environmental ethic.\. it is fashionable in some quarters to wave aside the small and obscure, the bugs and weeds, forgetting that an obscure moth from latin america saved australias pastureland from overgrowth by cactus, that the rosy periwinkle provided the cure for hodgkins disease and childhood lymphocytic leukemia, that the bark of the pacific yew offers hope for victims of ovarian and breast cancer, that a chemical from the saliva of leeches dissolves blood clots during surgery, and so on down a roster already grown long and illustrious despite the limited research addressed to it. which of the following claims is best supported by the evidence in this excerpt? all species are worth protecting because even the small organisms contribute important functions in the environment. every effort should be made to protect each bug and weed species regardless of its potential to cause destruction. all of the species that are now extinct or are becoming extinct could have cured a disease. only the species that can be used for medical purposes are worth protecting from extinction.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
The text discusses the importance of protecting species for their potential medical - related contributions. While all species may have some value, the text emphasizes the medical benefits from certain species like the obscure moth, Pacific yew, etc. It is not practical to protect only species with known medical uses as many may have undiscovered potential. Also, not all efforts should be focused on every single bug and weed species regardless of their potential. And destruction is not a valid option. The idea that all species are worth protecting because even small organisms can contribute important functions is supported by the examples of species with medical benefits in the text.
Answer:
All species are worth protecting because even the small organisms contribute important functions in the environment.