Black pearl

[Desdemona]

I read that same line, but it does not make much sense to me. I also looked up the Toffee Ball issue.

I will say that I have no idea what the scam is for the B.P.s I don't know if I am just missing it because I am not an expert breeder and still largely in the learning group or if because they breeders are being illusive and no one (other than them) really knows.

Looks like the BP is either dominate (why no het's are being produced) or a trait they can't create genetically? What exactly is the scam? I am assuming they had BPs that looked black.

 

[SFgeckos]

Perhaps I should clarify my words, I think in my initial posting the word "scam" was a bit harsh and could be interpreted as offensive. That wasn't my intention. My intention was to point out that whenever new projects are sold without ever proving the genetics or are released to the public market as a false genotype, then both parties may suffer- the reputation of the seller/breeder and those who spent their hard earned money trying to obtain the newest cutting edge mutations. There are many examples of new mutations both in the leopard gecko world and other reptile/animal species that were released without fully understanding the genetics. Yes, it is always a risk on the buyer because they could be getting in on the ground floor of a great project, or they could be investing in a complete dud. Sometimes these new projects are marketed and released with full genetic knowledge the initial producer/breeder has, sometimes they are not.

Is that ethical? In my opinion, in the reptile industry there is no legal obligation to provide full disclosure on genetics, merely a moral obligation. There are some careers, mine included with all health care professionals, that require not only a moral obligation but a legal obligation to be ethical. If say, a surgeon advertises a new cutting edge procedure designed to solve a medical condition, yet this procedure later is discovered to have an unproven track record and was then released under false premises. If it could be proven that the surgeon knew this all along, the consequences would be severe, including but not limited to prison time, fines and the removal of business/practicing license. Obviously, this example is a bit extreme but I really wish that the industry would have a similar code of ethics or conduct to prevent turmoil within itself, and rather focus on cooperation and collaboration to battle against the outsiders who want to do away with the hobby!

Anyone else have thoughts or input? I'm very surprised by all the silence...

Jon

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Any buyer that is looking to purchase an unproven line of genetics should also be in the position to accept the risk. Unproven = unknown = risk. Unless the seller has falsely marketed the animals, there should be no damage to their reputation. Maybe they needed to cash in on some of their projects. It happens. Someone willing to invest in a possibility is taking the chance it won't pan out. Just my opinion.

 

[Jade Icing]

That is horrible.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

I semi agree with you Jon. Although this is a free market and there would/could never be the same restrictions and guidelines for the selling of reptiles, I think that the release of unproven genetics as being a set morph with phenotype is VERY unprofessional. If you decide to sell a "new morph" prior to proving it out and ensuring it is what your selling it as and it proves to not be...you need to be able to forfeit your pride and publicly admit it and explain how the situation came to be. Rather than badmouthing other similarly controversial morphs and continuing to deny any foul play/harm done.

 

[SFgeckos]

"Rather than badmouthing other similarly controversial morphs and continuing to deny any foul play/harm done."

I wanted to keep the focus on leopard geckos, in particular the black pearls and their history/genetics- not change the topic to a ball python Toffee/Toffino and Banana drama discussion!

Jon

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

From my sources the Black Pearl is genetic but isn't dominant. It's still being determined whether they are line bred or recessive. I have seen them from hatchlings (2 days old) to adults and I find the morph to still hold a higher dollar value due to the elusive nature of them.