Re: SVP Ethics statement

[Michael Schmidt <dmschmidt@sprint.ca>]

because, as was pointed out to me, it's the sVp, not the sIp.....it's not in 
their mandate to protect anything that doesn't have a spinal column.

so, apparantly, you can be an SVP member, selling some of the rarest 
invertebrate fossils on the planet......but you can't be a member if you are 
selling "common" vertebrate materials, such as scrap broken pieces of dino 
bone......

good thing invertebrate paleontology is being as closely protected as 
vertebrate paleontology, huh?

:-)

Michael
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "don ohmes" <d_ohmes@yahoo.com>
To: "DML" <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 10:18 AM
Subject: SVP Ethics statement


> Just curious- why only vertebrate fossils? Any
> comments?
> don
> danvarner wrote:
> I'm taking the liberty of  reposting this from the
> vrtpaleo list. DV
>
> << The following SVP  Ethics statement on the sale of
> vertebrate fossils is
> posted on behalf of SVP  President Annalisa Berta.
>
> --------------
>
> REGARDING THE SALE OF  FOSSIL VERTEBRATES
>
> The SVP Executive Committee is concerned with reports
> about the sale of
> vertebrate fossils by some members of SVP.  When
> individuals join SVP, they
> sign
> an agreement to abide by the bylaws of the  Society,
> including the code of
> ethics, which states, "the barter, sale, or  purchase
> of scientifically
> significant vertebrate fossils is not condoned unless
> it brings them into or
> keeps
> them with, a public trust" (Bylaws of SVP, Article
> 12, Code of Ethics, Section
> 6).  We are compelled by our Bylaws to enforce  the
> Code of Ethics.
>
> We wish to make clear our position on this  subject.
> As of March 1, 2005, we
> have a standing committee to investigate  reported
> incidents involving the
> sale of scientifically significant vertebrate  fossils
> by SVP members to
> destinations other than recognized scientific
> organizations.  This committee
> will
> make a recommendation to the Executive  Committee,
> including the possible
> termination of membership in SVP of those who  fail to
> abide by the Code of
> Ethics.
>
> Annalisa Berta, President  SVP
>
> --
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Annalisa  Berta
> Professor and Associate Chair
> Department of Biology
> San Diego  State University
> San Diego, CA 92182-4614
>
> phone: 619-594-5392
> lab:  594-4584
>
> fax:619-594-5676
> email:  aberta@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
> http://www.bio.sdsu.edu/faculty/berta.html