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Palaeontologia Electronica http://palaeo-electronica.org

The greatest challenge to 21st century : When commercialization of threatens the science

Kenshu Shimada, Philip J. Currie, Eric Scott, and Stuart S. Sumida

As we proceed into the 21st century, the sci- responses to geological and climatic factors. Pale- ence of paleontology has achieved a remarkable ontology presently enjoys a new “Golden Age,” prominence and popularity, providing increasingly progressing by leaps while also serving, as always, detailed perspective on critical biological and geo- to inspire young minds to explore science and the logical processes. Spectacular new discoveries natural world. excite the imagination and spur new investigations, Yet at the outset of the millennium, three inter- while more abundant fossils studied using new connected, troubling challenges confront paleontol- techniques enable more precise interpretations of ogists: 1) a shrinking job market, 2) diminishing diversity, variation, changes through , and funding sources, and 3) heightened commercial-

Editor’s note: The commercial collection and sale of fossils, as well as the still developing regulations involving collection of fossils on public lands, have emerged as one of the most contentious issues in pale- ontology. These issues pit not only professional paleontologists and commercial collectors against each other, but have produced rifts within the paleontological . Here Shimada and his co-authors vig- orously a position supported by many paleontologists. I repeat a call in an earlier com- mentary (Plotnick, 2011; palaeo-electronica.org/2011_1/commentary/mainstream.htm) for additional contributions that would discuss these issues that are so crucial to our field. Please send directly to Roy E. Plotnick ([email protected])

Kenshu Shimada. Department of Environmental Science and Studies and Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA; Sternberg Museum of Natural , Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas 67601, USA. [email protected] Philip J. Currie. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9, Canada. [email protected] Eric Scott. Division of Geological Sciences, San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands, California 92374, USA. [email protected] and Department of , California State University at San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California 92407, USA Stuart S. Sumida. Department of Biology, California State University at San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California 92407, USA. [email protected]

Shimada, Kenshu, Currie, Philip J., Scott, Eric, and Sumida, Stuart S. 2014. The greatest challenge to 21st century paleontology: When commercialization of fossils threatens the science. Palaeontologia Electronica Vol. 17, Issue 1; 1E: 4 p; palaeo-electronica.org/content/2014/691-great-threat-in-21st-century SHIMADA, ET AL.: GREATEST CHALLENGE TO 21ST CENTURY PALEONTOLOGY ization of fossils. The first two issues are all too rather all paleontologists. For any scientific study, familiar to the majority of paleontologists, but they the ability to reproduce data is a basic prerequisite. have been common chronic problems in practically In paleontology, the fossils themselves carry, or all disciplines. The third challenge, often are, the data. Reproducibility of paleontologi- commercialization of fossils, is a major developing cal data is permitted only through permanency and problem in paleontology that has reached a hereto- accessibility of all examined fossils in stable repos- fore unprecedented level of public visibility and itories under public trust. Fossils outside of the debate in this field (e.g., Pringle, 2014). Whereas public domain, such as those in private collections, so much misinformation still pervades public per- do not meet these essential standards. It is for this ception of the matter, it is alarming that this issue reason that virtually all high-level scientific journals appears to have not been fully recognized as a do not publish data obtained from privately-owned serious threat to the science of paleontology by the specimens. majority of paleontologists. The three highlighted cases also reflect a If one desires to purchase , trilo- larger issue that has become deeply entrenched— bites, shark teeth, or even bones, it the public perception that “It’s okay to sell and buy is not difficult to find commercial suppliers. Many fossils.” The vast majority of the general traditional rock shops carry such items. However, are unaware that the commercialization of fossils is sales of fossils have exploded in recent even a problem, based upon our experience largely by means of the Internet, with commercial through teaching and various outreach programs. fossil dealers creating an enterprise where the sell- In fact, there are even people who erroneously per- ing and buying of fossils take place openly online. ceive that commercial is equivalent Another growing trend is high profile public auc- to paleontology. This matters to all areas of paleon- tions, where it is not uncommon to witness spec- tology because the general population also tacular fossils—including complete dinosaur includes lawmakers and top administrators in aca- skeletons—being sold to the highest bidders. The demic institutions (as demonstrated by the state new owners are rarely museums or other aca- park and museum cases). When decision makers demic institutions. The extent of commercial trad- lack a proper understanding of the of pale- ing of fossils is difficult to decipher because it is ontological research (e.g., when they are duped further complicated by the black market, where ille- into thinking that the monetary value of fossils out- gally collected, exported, and/or imported fossils weighs their scientific value), all paleontological are traded unnoticed by professional paleontolo- science suffers because such misguided percep- gists. tions then also contribute to a further decline in col- Three specific recent episodes exemplify the lections-based research. This in turn severely commercialization issue. In the spring of 2012, a affects decisions about research funding, employ- skeleton of (a relative) ment, and job security in academic institutions. that was illegally collected in and smuggled out of Whether or not it's okay to sell and buy fossils Mongolia appeared at an auction for sale in the is a matter of debate on scientific and ethical U.S. (Williams, 2013). In the spring of 2013, a bill grounds, with analytical rigor and professional hon- (“HB 392”) that proposed to allow sales of fossils esty squaring off against free enterprise. Within from Makoshika State Park in Glendive, , science, the integrity of the data trumps other con- was passed by the Montana House of Representa- cerns such as monetary value; this is both a practi- tives for consideration by the State Senate. Then, cal consideration and an ethical one. It is for this in the fall of 2013, a major museum reason that the bylaws of the Society of Vertebrate in California put up multiple fossils for auction Paleontology (SVP) state explicitly: “The barter, (Pringle, 2014). However, diligent efforts by a num- sale, or purchase of scientifically significant verte- ber of vertebrate paleontologists resulted in repatri- brate fossils is not condoned, unless it brings them ation of the Tarbosaurus to Mongolia, successful into, or keeps them within, a public trust” and adds blocking of the Montana bill, and a complete with- “Any other trade or commerce in scientifically sig- drawal of fossils from the auction by the California nificant vertebrate fossils is inconsistent with the museum. foregoing, in that it deprives both the public and What was at stake in all three cases was the professionals of important specimens, which are loss of scientifically significant fossils from the pub- part of our natural heritage.” To our knowledge, the lic domain. Fossil commercialism is a matter that SVP’s stance is the highest professional standard not only concerns vertebrate paleontologists, but among all the existing paleontology-based profes-

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sional organizations. It stems from the understand- paleontologists have no right to ask commercial ing that the primary value of fossils is their scientific fossil dealers to stop selling fossils. So, what can importance, and how they further our understand- paleontologists do? We here recommend strength- ing of the natural world. Consequently, the com- ening public education on this matter regardless of mercialization of fossils is fundamentally one’s area of specialty—paleobotanists and ichnol- destructive to the science of paleontology. It is ogists as well as invertebrate and vertebrate pale- noteworthy that the SVP bylaws provide room for ontologists—that unrestricted commercialization of commercial collectors to work cooperatively with fossils hurts the science of paleontology. Our expe- academic paleontologists to bring scientifically sig- riences suggest that those who didn’t know that nificant fossils into public trust. To be clear, the commercialization of fossils is a problem are gen- SVP bylaws also allow hobby collecting where con- erally quite receptive once they learn about the role ducted legally. In fact, academic paleontologists of repository museums and how the science of often depend upon fossil collecting by hobbyists paleontology works. Our hope is to challenge the and amateur paleontologists particularly because very concept of commercial supply by reduc- innumerable important scientific discoveries have ing through public education the demand of fossils. been made by such people. It is also an important Such an effort should also promote the awareness avenue to spark interests of youngsters who may of the benefits of housing scientifically significant become the next generation of paleontologists! fossils in public institutions. Paleontologists should not expect the general To change the perception of the general pub- public to readily recognize and appreciate the sci- lic, a concerted effort by all types of paleontologists entific significance of fossils, because this signifi- and paleontological organizations is needed. First cance inherently emerges from the eyes of and foremost, paleontologists must lead by exam- paleontologists. Even the most common forms of ple. If the integrity and comprehensiveness of the fossils, such as and shark teeth, may be available data are paramount—and in good sci- scientifically significant depending on the investiga- ence, they must be—then other considerations tive questions asked. Whereas new discoveries such as monetary value or free enterprise must be and new often command the limelight, it is considered secondary. Conversely, where profit more commonly abundant fossils that are increas- and free enterprise are foremost when dealing with ingly enabling more precise conclusions regarding fossils, it must be acknowledged that science has ranges of morphological variation, true diversity of been left entirely by the wayside. , and evolutionary responses of Following directly from this reasoning, it and animals to changing regional and global condi- becomes incumbent upon scientific societies affili- tions. In fact, these are the very studies that often ated with SVP to “respect the data” and follow have the greatest impact for understanding living SVP’s established policies for preserving paleonto- organisms and present-day . logical resources in the public sphere. Simply put, Based upon this, if a fossil provides useful sci- the sales of fossils should not be permitted at entific data, then it is scientifically significant. meetings of these societies. Given the scientific Therefore, significant fossils require preservation in merit of our arguments, requesting such a course perpetuity because all data are important, and of action is not unreasonable. In addition, local good must not cherry-pick their data in and fossil clubs can also be used as advance. Choosing to remove scientific data for agents of change, to help the wider public recog- other than legitimate analysis-based reasons is, at nize the scientific importance of fossils and why the best, unscientific—and at worst, damaging to sci- scientific value of fossils outweighs any perceived ence itself. Yet commercial sales of fossils are monetary worth. This type of cooperation both based upon just such cherry-picking. Unusual or serves science and preserves the joy of direct rare fossils are targeted by commercial collectors encounters with fossils. Finally, suggestions have because of their potentially high monetary values, also been made that, similar to the annual meet- and while those “trophy specimens” may be offered ings of the SVP, our paleontological community can up for scientific scrutiny, other more “common” fos- perhaps promote the sales of fossil replicas and sils are usually treated as nothing more than com- “paleo arts” (e.g., paintings and 3-D models of modities by commercial dealers. extinct organisms) as acceptable alternatives. In this environment, commercialization of fos- Working with and educating the public in multiple sils will likely thrive unless something is done. Yet venues is a more productive avenue for preserving where such commercialization is conducted legally,

3 SHIMADA, ET AL.: GREATEST CHALLENGE TO 21ST CENTURY PALEONTOLOGY fossils than arguing endlessly with commercial col- cialism, which undermines collections-based scien- lectors and dealers. tific research and leads to further cuts in funding The bottom line is that scientists must redou- and job opportunities, the scientific significance of ble their efforts to change the perception of the fossils must be increasingly emphasized. We general public about why fossils are significant, therefore consider the battle against heightened and why this significance outweighs mere mone- commercialization of fossils to be the greatest chal- tary worth. Where fossils are informative—because lenge to paleontology of the 21st century. they can provide data on , , morphology, , ontogeny, , and REFERENCES so forth—they are significant. The ethics of science Pringle, H. 2014. Selling America’s Fossil Record. Sci- dictate that these fossils—as nonrenewable natural ence, 343:364-367. resources and hence irreplaceable sources of Williams, P. 2013. Bones of contention: a Florida man’s data—be conserved in perpetuity. In to avoid curious trade in Mongolian . New Yorker, the ever-increasing loss of such fossils to commer- (January 28):52-63.

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