Illicit Fossils: The Ethical Dilemma in Protecting the World's Natural History

Explore the complex ethical issues surrounding paleontological research and fossil collection in this thought-provoking lecture. Delve into the tensions arising from "parachute science" practices, where local expertise is often overlooked or excluded. Examine the ethical and legal challenges associated with the pursuit of extraordinary fossil discoveries, including illegal excavation and smuggling across borders. Analyze two prominent case studies: the controversies surrounding Myanmar amber research and its potential links to the military, and the recent investigation into the illegal exportation of the feathered dinosaur Ubirajara jubatus from Brazil. Gain insights into the persistent culture of theft and plunder in paleontology, rooted in colonial legacies, as presented by Nussaibah Raja-Schoob from Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen – Nuremberg.