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Ethical considerations

Ethical standards have changed over time. What we perceive to be unethical today, was not necessarily considered so at the time these human remains first came to UiO.

Some remains from Norwegian and foreign minority groups were acquired using methods that we strongly disapprove of today, but which were in keeping with the legal and ethical guidelines of times past.

Ethical norms change with the times and in pace with societal developments and must be continually reappraised and reconsidered.

At the same time, the skeletal remains in our collection provide unique opportunities for gaining a better understanding of our history and of the environmental factors that influenced people of the past. In the future, new methods and technology will enable further ways of finding out more about the past.

Our responsibility is to manage these remains in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards. 

Published Aug. 23, 2022 12:43 PM - Last modified Oct. 13, 2023 12:55 PM