Blood cells

NIH

Scientists from long been interested in the genetic diversity of indigenous communities, and since the 1980s research institutions and biotechnology companies have been collecting samples of blood, skin and hair so they can study their DNA.

In this article, Felipe Velden argues that more attention should be paid to the way this kind of research is conducted.

Velden describes the experiences of the Karitiana — an indigenous group living in the state of Rondônia in northern Brazil. He says that benefits arising from the research have not been shared with the communities that provided samples, and that their customs were ignored by the researchers.