We put a lot of effort into the protection of some species, but it is not uncommon for some…

We put a lot of effort into the protection of some species, but it is not uncommon for some populations to be intentionally reduced or brought to near-extinction by pest-eradication programs. For example, government animal control officers in the United States kill approximately 100,000 coyotes each year, to prevent them from preying on domestic animals. This brings up some interesting questions, such as “What constitutes a pest?” and “Is it ever justifiable for humans to intentionally cause the extinction of another species?” Before answering, consider the case of smallpox (a virus, therefore not quite alive, but a good example nonetheless). Through vigorous inoculation programs in the 1960s and 1970s, the smallpox virus was essentially eradicated; only a few populations remained, protected in laboratories. Some argued for its complete annihilation; others argued that if the virus were to reemerge, for whatever reason, scientists would need laboratory populations from which to manufacture a vaccine. Which do you think was the correct course to take?