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Parachute research is another ethical problem for Myanmar amber

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 5, page 707 (2021)Cite this article

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To the Editor — Recently, the trade of Cretaceous amber from the Hukawng Valley of northern Myanmar has been criticized and condemned given concerns that profits of amber sales are funding an oppressive military regime that has been killing unarmed civilians1,2,3. In April 2020, the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology called for a publication moratorium on any fossil specimens purchased from sources in Myanmar after June 2017, with which some journals have complied4,5. Furthermore, some scientists have expressed concerns regarding the legal status of Myanmar amber export, given that Myanmar antiquities law prohibits the trade of fossils6,7.

Here we give our perspective as Myanmar scientists. According to the limited information available, there is no strong indication that profits from the mining and trading of amber of northern Myanmar are being used for military purposes8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Mandalay, Maha Aungmyae, Mandalay, Myanmar

    Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein

  2. CODES Centre of Ore Deposits and Earth Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Khin Zaw

Authors
  1. Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein
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  2. Khin Zaw
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Z.-M.-M.-T. and K.Z. wrote and revised the manuscript together.

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Correspondence to Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein or Khin Zaw.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Zin-Maung-Maung-Thein, Khin Zaw Parachute research is another ethical problem for Myanmar amber. Nat Ecol Evol 5, 707 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01472-6

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