Whales were hunted nearly to extinction primarily for their blubber, which was burned in oil lamps to light buildings. Whale oil lamps have been replaced by electric lighting, but the survival of the western North Pacific whale population is not guaranteed. Do you think it could be ethical to hunt a species to extinction to meet the needs and wants of human society?

This is unethical.

Explanation:

Every creature contributes one way or the other to the existence of  ecosystem,and the   stabity of the biodervasity. The whale is one of the major componets of the aquatic biodiversity .Therefore continous killing whch may lead to extinction  would distablized rthe bioderstiy and leads to the loss of ecosystem.

Besides,if whales goes into exticntion this would  affet  the future generations to learn from  their existence?Therefore for preservation for future generations,they must be protected for extictinon.

The advent of  biotechnology,has shown the genetic products of human and  animals could be used to produce genetically modifjed product for humanity Thus if whale goes into exticntion this may not be possible.

well, that's easy; the answer's c, "it reduces contamination of the water and substrate of the estuary."