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Type: Article
Published: 2018-12-20
Page range: 69–73
Abstract views: 338
PDF downloaded: 0

Natural history collecting and the arrogance of the modern Ark researcher

Società Italiana per la Storia della Fauna ‘Giuseppe Altobello’, Viale Liegi 48, Roma, Italy
biological ethics vouchers taxonomy natural history collections

Abstract

A non-killing policy in biodiversity science has been recently promoted in some papers. Here the arguments pro collecting are reiterated and some issues concerning biological ethics, conservation biology and environmental awareness are stressed. Accordingly, naturalists involved with the study and preservation of biodiversity should not promote personal ethical beliefs masked by scientific arguments that may further slow down the description of life on Earth. Further, in agreement with Biological Ethic principles (sensu de Beaux), the need to assure long term maintenance of vouchers and collections and their availability to future generations of researchers is emphasized.

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