The biodiversity controversy : an overview / Tom Arrandale Biodiversity helps humans appreciate the gifts of life / Frank Carpenter Biodiversity is important to human welfare / International Union for Conservation of Nature Mass species extinction poses a serious threat / Jerry Coyne and Hopi E. Hoekstra Mass species extinction is exaggerated / Peter Foster Biodiversity loss in the world's oceans threatens human well-being / Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea Exaggerated claims of biodiversity loss lead to poor solutions / Bjørn Lomborg Global warming threatens biodiversity / David A. Fahrenthold Global warming does not threaten biodiversity / Daniel B. Botkin Bioprospecting poses a threat to biodiversity and indigenous populations / Vandana Shiva A middle ground should be sought in bioprospecting / David A. Dickson A focus on at-risk biodiverse regions will reduce biodiversity loss / Yasemin Erboy Religious leaders should be concerned about biodiversity / Edward O. Wilson