Code of Ethics

A Code of Ethics is established to form a framework in which MSB staff perform their duties in accordance with standards established by the larger museum and scientific communities. This framework is based on codes of ethics and policy recommendations established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSC Alliance), American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the University of New Mexico.

The following statements summarize standards for MSB personnel in behavior and attitude:

• To use only the most acceptable preservation, conservation and management techniques for collections and data, recognizing that the MSB has been given stewardship of a natural heritage.
• To accept the responsibility that specimens and their byproducts that are inherently hazardous, or have been made so through preparation or fumigation practices, are clearly identified or inaccessible (in some cases) to researchers and other staff.
• To collect specimens without detriment to their habitat, populations, or other biota therein.
• To collect specimens only with official permission, current permits, and Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) committee review. Likewise, to accept only legitimately collected specimens into permanent collections.
• To accept and/or collect specimens that further enhance the scientific and educational value of the existing collections. To make MSB collections and documents available to all qualified users.
• To adhere to the University of New Mexico's Employee Code of Conduct and Conflicts of Interest Policy, Student Code of Conduct, and Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action guidelines.