Singaporean Bailout to Preserve Taxonomy

"Nomenclature chaos averted with financial bailout"
by Daniel Cressey  November 18, 2013
Nature: international weekly journal of science

The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research's Breakdown of Specimens
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Singapore is home to a diverse array of biology and consequently, a strong taxonomic system is essential for keeping it all organized. Every year, new species are being discovered. Recent financial trouble posed a threat to the Supreme Court of Animal Names," also known as a branch of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). The organization responsible for classifying organisms in accordance with the binomial nomenclature system. They also deal with solving classification disputes to ensure that new species are in fact new.Fortunately, the University of Singapore stepped in and bailed out the institute. They will pay an equivalent of $80,000 per year to fund this organization. Peter Ng, the directer of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and member of the ICZN, praises this decision, saying that the scientists, "are doing something important for zoology [and without it] there would be anarchy." Because of this bailout, zoological progress can still be made and disputes and debates regarding Singaporean biodiversity will still have a forum and official medium to showcase and prove discoveries.

I think the bailout of this important organization is essential for the maintenance of efficient biological research in Singapore. Classification is a controversial fields, where disputes arise over the existence or nonresistance of new species; since this nation is rich in biodiversity, it is especially important to ensure that there is an international moderation of discoveries to fully validate claims and discoveries. The maintenance of the ICZN in Singapore is essential for ensuring effective and accurate monitoring of biodiversity in the nation. Aside from leading to academic gains, the organization will help monitor the changes in biodiversity and climate health in the area. Its very interesting to hear about the financial trouble that this organization faced. When I think of science budget cuts, I usually think about space exploration and medical research, rather than ecological developments. I believe it is very important to maintain this branch of science as well, since it is extremely important to understand the environment and species diversity information can help monitor environmental quality and biodiversity. In conclusion, the bailout of the ICZN branch in Singapore will ensure that the classification of new organisms will be more efficient and biological research in the area will be maintained.