Ancient DNA researchers have learned to collaborate with American Indian tribes in relevant cases. But still more sensitivity is needed.
Source: The Ethical Battle Over Ancient DNA
By Michael Balter
“The time when scientists should go and study ancient human remains from the Americas without some kind of tribal engagement has passed,” . . . For many tribal groups, human remains from the Americas are considered ancestors whether or not there is evidence of cultural or genetic links.”
Correction: April 3, 2017
An earlier version of this article stated that the Chaco civilization’s cultural influence spread throughout the Four Corners region of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, and possibly as far south as Mexico. This has been updated to make it clear that its influence spread throughout what is today known as the Four Corners region and modern-day Mexico.
This work first appeared on SAPIENS under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license. Read the original here.
