Re: SVP statement on Dr. Rensberger-Burke Museum

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Michael Schmidt wrote:

> The lack of interest, Bob, I believe is simply embarassment on belalf of 
> the academic community.

Maybe, maybe not.  It may have something to do with this...

"...but the SVP Ethics Education Committee concluded that the fossil 
collections resulting from Dr.
Rensberger's fieldwork are properly deposited in a public institution (the 
Burke Museum) and have
been well curated by Dr. Rensberger and the current curatorial staff of the 
Burke Museum."

Which, to me, says that these discoveries were not for personal monetary 
gain, and the specimens in question were/are available to science.  These 
discoveries remain "properly deposited in a public institution", rather than 
gathering dust in a private collection or ending up on eBay.  That counts 
for a lot in my book.  I shudder to think how many invaluable fossil 
discoveries never get to see the light of day because the collector(s) sell 
their collections privately for a fast buck, or keep them stashed under the 
porch.

Cheers

Tim

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