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. 2024 Nov 5;121(45):e2415490121.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.2415490121. Epub 2024 Oct 30.

Stop using racist, unethical, and inappropriate names in taxonomy

Desalegn Chala  1 , Dag Endresen  1 , Sebsebe Demissew  2 , Laura A Slaughter  3 , Einar Broch Johnsen  4 , Nils Chr Stenseth  5   6
Affiliations

Stop using racist, unethical, and inappropriate names in taxonomy

Desalegn Chala et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .
No abstract available

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

None
Many scientific names are offensive, unethical, or inappropriate. Yet, many in the field claim that extensive revisions could disrupt the stability of binomial nomenclature and the science that depends on it. We call for international nomenclature bodies to establish committees to assess ethical concerns, revise taxonomic names where necessary, and address grievances for others as they arise. In the digital era, effective solutions exist to manage name changes without causing disruption to the established system. Image credit: KATERYNA KON/Science Source.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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