Which of the following is an ethical question regarding conservation?

The chosen answer focuses on the ethical implications of creating hybrids as a conservation strategy, which raises important questions about the naturalness of such actions and their potential long-term impact on ecosystems. Creating hybrids could help save a dwindling population from extinction by introducing genetic diversity, but it also risks altering the natural lineage of a species, possibly leading to unforeseen ecological consequences. This engages with deeper ethical questions about the role of humans in nature and whether it is justifiable to manipulate genetic materials for conservation purposes.

The other options, while they also relate to conservation, do not encapsulate the same level of ethical complexity. Introducing alien species could be seen as beneficial to biodiversity in some contexts; however, it often leads to ecological disruption, making it a more straightforward question of ecological risk rather than a nuanced ethical dilemma. Allowing hunting of endangered species fundamentally contradicts the purpose of conservation, suggesting a clear moral stance against such actions due to the potential for extinction. Lastly, focusing protection solely on charismatic species raises ethical questions of value and prioritization in conservation efforts, but it is more about philosophical considerations regarding human preferences for certain species rather than the active ethical dilemmas posed by genetic manipulation in conservation.