Should private buyers be allowed to own scientific specimens?

If private ownership, or better, leasing, could generate money to be used for Study without interfering with it by taking specimens out of the reach of researchers it should be possible. Regardless of the type of thing it is, any item of major interest to the entire world should not be hidden away by some "Collector" who for whatever reason does not want others to see his Stuff.

Things like art, or rare items of any kind where the main value is simply appreciation of the item, unfortunately, cannot simply be kept from the hands of a prospective owner who will hide it forever, or even destroy it. Buying most things is still globally legal. Outbidding them or making ownership conditional would be the only way to reasonably prevent a selfish or nutty buyer from wrecking things for everybody else.

Fossils, some space debris, any geological or biological specimen with rare scientific value are a different story. No one person can be allowed to deny the rest of the world the opportunity to learn possibly very important information by hoarding and hiding the sources of such learning.

Owning important specimens would be like owning Science itself. Might be OK if you can own it in name only. The ability to LEARN must be Truly owned by EVERYONE!

No. It should be sent to museum for kids to enjoy!..

I think private ownership is ok depending on what is being done with the fossil, where it is kept and who has access to it. Most scientific endeavors are privately funded. Also, as was queried earlier, who gets the money? Doesn't whoever gets paid the money already own the fossil? Otherwise how would they be able to sell it? If you own the land, do you also own the fossil? I understand the need to share scientific knowledge, but who is going to govern what is scientifically important and what is not and who has the right to own whatever? And how would you determine what is private property and what is not. I think the answer to the question of the right of ownership is as interesting as the science surrounding the fossil. I vote for the fossil and scientific access and private ownership in some sort of limited co-opted manner. It's not a black and white, yes or no answer.

Absolutely not!

No

No

and the option of private ownership creates a market buyer in addition to other museum. Suppose Museum A obtains a fossil much superior for display than the one currently on display. The museum displays the new fossil. What are they going to do with the former fossil/ Tf they can sell it, even to a wealthy individual collector, that generates money the museum can apply as they museum may wish.

I had a friend who every summer vacation he spent searching out west for fossils. He had quite a collection of odd bones that he was happy, even anxious, for me to see. He had lower than average money income, but he had great pride in his finds. i don't know what became of the fossils as the friend and I lost contact.

Unless a private citizen buys a scientifically important piece and donates it to a public museum, no, I don’t support private people owning items important for research. it’s greedy and thoughtless.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

No, scientific specimens should be in labs for research, in museums for education and for a joy of seeing then.. greetings grom Warsaw, Poland

I agree with those who oppose private (monied) parties owning prized fossils. They should be encouraged, however, to donate them to museums.

Phil Peterson

No

Much as many of us may not like the notion that wealthy collectors can buy prized fossil specimens, as Dr. Kamat points out, there is at present no legal restriction for doing so. What should happen is that UNESCO or other world organizations should regulate such deals through international consent. That is unlikely to happen quickly nor universally given present day polarized politics across the world. As I pointed out in my previous posting on this topic, sellers of precious fossils and art should agree to do so only if the buyers agree to allow scholar access to them for research and also allow at least occasional access for public viewing.

Not unless they have permission from the High Saurian Council to disturb the bones of their ancestors.

“ HELL NO “

Who was paid for this skeleton?

Any buyer is likely to show off the skeleton, maybe be seen by more people than in a museum. And owners actually only rent; the skeleton will pass to heirs and what will they do with it? Sell it to a museum? It is like land. Just owning it is expensive. One has toe use the land for something; grow trees or grass and livestock, wildlife, etc.

Absolutely not. For many reasons. These artifacts should be available to the public first, and second, what about proper care and maintenance? Are we going to put this in the hands of a private party?

I don't believe private ownership should be allowed unless there are legal agreements allowing scientific study and display at museums open to the public.

Absolutely not. Why should humans that have existed on this planet for a few hundred years be allowed to own scientific findings that existed well before them?

No, specimens like this recent T-Rex should never be owned by a private entity. It deprives humankind of knowledge and our history.................

No!!!I do not agree to SELL these extraordinary fossils. They should be GIVEN to Institutions to do research and to serve as educational items.

Fossils belong to the entire world and not to one individual.

Absolutely Not, expecially for one-of-a-kind pieces

yes. if private owners are permitted, more discoveries will be made and more will be studied.

No, Important dinosaur fossils should never be privately owned. These are part of our shared heritage, even if found on privately-owned land.