News > Paleontology has a ‘parachute science’ problem. 

Paleontology has a ‘parachute science’ problem. 

"Parachute palaeontology," a term used to describe the practices of scientists from high-income countries studying or collecting fossils in middle- and low-income countries without collaborating with local experts, has raised concerns. Researchers have compiled data showing that 97% of fossil publications come from high- and upper-middle-income countries, with countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Myanmar being particularly affected. These practices discourage local expertise and can result in unethical research.