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Fossilized Ethics editorial Fossilized ethics The ethical issues surrounding Burmese amber expose a tangle of problems within twenty-frst century palaeontology, which has not fully reckoned with its genesis as a colonial science. This editorial accompanies an update to Nature Portfolio policy which takes a frst step towards combatting parachute science in palaeontological, archaeological and geological felds. he last few years have seen a rise Dunne and Nussaïbah Raja-Schoob Brazilian feathered dinosaur Ubirajara in science news coverage and estimated, from 30 years of bibliometric jubatus illustrates. In another case, the Tpalaeontological community data, that no English-language publication holotype of the Mexican shark fossil concerns regarding Burmese amber. This on Burmese amber had Myanmar Aquilolamna milarcae may have been fossil material contains a treasure trove of co-authors. purchased illegally by a private collector. mid-Cretaceous life found only in Myanmar Burmese amber makes for an unusual As commenters in many of these news but has been subject to widespread scenario created by the dual (and stories note, such scenarios can often humanitarian concerns. In this issue conflicting) gemstone and scientific be avoided where local researchers are we publish three Correspondences that values of the specific material, and is involved in work from the get go, as document the complex community views on wrapped up in an ongoing humanitarian Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein and Khin Zaw the subject and help chart a path forward for conflict of horrific proportions. Given recommend for Burmese amber. They note the best use of this material. this, resolving heritage and gemstone laws in their Correspondence that equitable Shuo Wang and colleagues articulate may understandably not be a priority in collaboration has been possible for many the value of Burmese amber as a scientific Myanmar right now. But as scientists there palaeontological projects in Myanmar to resource, opposing the outright ban on attempt to continue with their work under date, so there is no reason it shouldn’t be studying and publishing amber fossils unimaginably difficult conditions, the possible for amber. More broadly speaking, advocated by the Society of Vertebrate international community owes them both productive and ethical collaboration should Paleontology in 2020 while emphasizing humanitarian support and a more equitable be feasible across palaeontology (and that it is right that acquisition of new future for collaborative research. The indeed ecology and evolution fields beyond specimens should cease until the current complexities of the situation with Burmese this), facilitated by hubs intentionally humanitarian crisis in Myanmar is amber prevent a one-size-fits-all policy at designed to foster collaboration between resolved. Paul Barrett, Zerina Johanson and this stage but as editors we will continue local and international scientists. In Sarah Long of London’s Natural History to monitor the situation closely and, in the 2019, we published a Comment from Museum remind us that not only are interim, support the pragmatic solution Zeresenay Alemseged and colleagues ethical questions at stake in the research suggested by Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein about the Eastern African Association of and publication of Burmese amber, but and Khin Zaw of notifying in-country Palaeoanthropology and Palaeontology legal ones too: Myanmar has at least two authorities and collaborating with (EAAPP) that articulated the importance extant, seemingly conflicting laws, one of local researchers. of such hubs. Note that in the time since which permits the sale and export of amber As Wang and colleagues note, while publication of this piece, the organization as a gemstone, while the other prevents Burmese amber has become notorious, underwent a name change from the ‘East the export of fossil material, and it is not comparable concern for palaeontological African’ to ‘Eastern African’ Association, clear which takes precedence. As such they specimens acquired in other ethically explicitly to refute the colonialist overtones argue for caution even when working with troubling contexts has arguably been and history of ‘East Africa’ as a relic region samples obtained prior to 2017, which lacking. This may be changing as practices of empire, as in, for example, British is when the Myanmar military may have of ‘parachute’ or ‘helicopter’ research East Africa. begun to profit from amber sales according within a broad range of scientific fields, As a first step in combatting parachute to United Nations Human Rights observers. including palaeontology, come under research, this editorial accompanies an Finally, Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein and increased scrutiny from researchers and update to Nature Portfolio’s research policy Khin Zaw, two Myanmar scientists, the media alike. Parachute science occurs for reporting and materials availability recognize the complications in navigating when scientists, typically from the Global requirements for geological, archaeological Myanmar’s amber laws and recommend a North, travel to field sites, typically in and palaeontological research. The updated pragmatic solution. They suggest that those the Global South, extract data (such policy explicitly mandates that both who buy amber exported as a gemstone as fossils, archaeological materials or collection and export of samples should be may do so in good faith, but when fossils of samples of extant taxa) and leave, without in accordance with local and national laws. interest are identified within, researchers collaborating with local researchers The policy also requires deposition of such should report to authorities (government, whether through project design, by materials (including three-dimensional museum and university departments) in citing local research, or co-authoring. scans, where possible) within a recognized Myanmar to obtain permission for further In a worryingly high number of cases museum, collection or accessible repository work. Most importantly, they note that this scientists may even, whether knowingly to permit free access by other researchers work should involve, and be co-authored or unknowingly, have exported samples in in perpetuity. This policy update will be by, local researchers. Shockingly, a contravention of local and national laws accompanied by new questions on our presentation at last year’s Palaeontological in the countries in which they conduct reporting summary and editorial policy Association Annual Meeting from Emma their fieldwork, as the recent case of the checklists, to help ensure that published NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION | VOL 5 | JUNE 2021 | 703–704 | www.nature.com/natecolevol 703 editorial papers in all Nature Portfolio journals These are first steps, and we do not across the Nature Portfolio will work handling palaeontological, archaeological anticipate that they will solve all the complex towards eliminating in the future. ❐ or geological materials detail appropriate problems pertaining to Burmese amber sample collection, avoiding some of the specifically or parachute research more pitfalls of parachute research outlined in the broadly, which is a practice that both Published online: 4 June 2021 previous paragraph. Nature Ecology & Evolution and journals https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01493-1 704 NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION | VOL 5 | JUNE 2021 | 703–704 | www.nature.com/natecolevol.
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