Beijing, China―It was less than a decade ago that paleontologists became enthralled with spectacular new fossils from China's western Liaoning Province (Science, 15 November 1996, p. 1164). The steady stream of discoveries from these rich beds has given them an impressively detailed picture of life 125 million years ago. But scientists at China's leading institute for vertebrate paleontology now fear that this treasure trove is rapidly being devalued. Weak laws, they say, have failed to halt the illegal excavation and trade in fossils, and confusing rules governing the work of legitimate scientists are hindering research. Some of tho'se scientists have taken the unusual step of going public with their concerns in hopes, of speeding reforms.
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