selling names

[Robin Panza]

>Is it ethical to accept remuneration in return for the "honor" (such as it
>is) of having a species named for you?
>
>Do the ethics of the situation differ depending on the use of the money?
>I.e., is it OK to name it "Clermontia richpersonii" if I use the money
>to buy a nature preserve, but it would be bad if I used it to but a
>Ferrari?

I don't really see why this should be an ethical question.  What is wrong with
selling a scientific name (yes, names are sold for stars)?  If the species
description were part of a grant-funded study, there might be a conflict with
the granting agency over the disbursement of funds received.  Similarly, there
might be a conflict with whomever pays one's salary.  That's an in-house
problem, not an overall one.  Besides, if the money received goes to the
granting agency or employer, or the employer agrees to allow the money to go
to a "good cause" such as buying a nature preserve, I don't see anything
intrinsically unethical.  This was the case in question--the employer is a
conservation organization and is using the funds to further its mission.

Sounds like a marvelous means of helping the biodiversity crisis, to me.  Does
anyone else see it differently?

Robin Panza                       panzar at clp2.clpgh.org
Section of Birds
Carnegie Museum of Natural History