To the Editor:
For a minute, I thought “Mother Nature’s Melting Pot,” by Hugh Raffles (Op-Ed, April 3), was a bit of a satire—perhaps a modern adaptation of Swift’s “Modest Proposal.” After all, Mr. Raffles compares the anti-immigration fervor to the attempts to stop invasive, “alien” species from colonizing native habitats in the United States.
But as I read, I got the sinking feeling that Mr. Raffles was serious. He argues that human diversity is good, and the iconic “melting pot” has made the United States what it is today. But would he be as positive about welcoming species into the United States that eat humans? Or that kill us through disease? Because that’s what harmful invasive species often do to native species.
Our society does welcome many non-native species, like ornamental plants and shrubs, soybeans and house cats. What we try to stop (or once they are here, control or eradicate) are the few non-native species that turn out to be invasive, or harmful to humans and the habitats we rely on.
Biology doesn’t say that one species is bad and another is good. But people value some things above others, including our own survival and prosperity. Call me people-ist, but I prefer native species that don’t hurt me or kill me. So no more harmful invasive species, please!
ANDY BUCHSBAUM
Director, Great Lakes Office
National Wildlife Federation
Ann Arbor, Mich., April 4, 2011
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 