Abstract
biological collections and secure their continuous growth. To support this request, I first give examples of some areas of research in which new original knowledge cannot be achieved without the study of specimens harbored in collections. Then I comment on three worrying aspects of Chilean biological collections (i.e., deficient financing, non-guaranteed perpetuity, and low growth of their holdings), suggesting some possible courses of action to follow to help solve these problems. Finally, I call on the entire community related to biological collections to make a joint effort towards the improvement and growth of the collections.
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