This week, the group that sets the rules for naming plant species will vote on whether to rename dozens of organisms whose scientific designations contain a racial slur, as well as to reconsider other offensive names.
Advocates argue that as wider society addresses historical injustices, science should do the same. Taxonomists worry about confusion and a 'slippery slope' towards changing more names.
Eliminating egregious names is seen as a minor adjustment compared to the continual changes in taxonomy due to genetic analyses revealing new relationships between species.
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