Slashdot Mirror


After DNA Misuse, Researchers Banished From Havasupai Reservation

bbsguru writes "A court settlement has ended a controversial case of medical privacy abuse. From the NYTimes: 'Seven years ago, the Havasupai Indians, who live in the deepest part of the Grand Canyon, issued a 'banishment order' to keep Arizona State University employees from setting foot on their reservation, an ancient punishment for what they regarded as a genetic-era betrayal. Members of the tiny tribe had given DNA samples to university researchers starting in 1990, hoping they might provide genetic clues to the tribe's high rate of diabetes. But members learned their blood samples also had been used to study many other things, including mental illness and theories of the tribe's geographical origins that contradict their traditional stories.'"

6 of 332 comments (clear)

  1. Re:here comes a relativist conundrum. by gotpoetry · · Score: 2, Funny

    It is so typical for a right-wing secular humanist to diss the left-wing postmodern cultural relativist Unitarian Christians for suggesting we stay off their lawn!

  2. Re:nice ivory tower sentiment by scorp1us · · Score: 2, Funny

    You offend me sir! I am an astrophysicist and my science and I do operate in a vacuum!

    --
    Slashdot's rate-of-post filter: Preventing you from posting too many great ideas at once.
  3. Re:nice ivory tower sentiment by circletimessquare · · Score: 2, Funny

    You offend ME sir! I am a georheologist and my science doesn't even exist below 10,000 kilopascals!

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  4. Re:beautiful place by Myopic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude, "reserve" might be a poor choice of diction.

  5. Re:I've solved the mystery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Their diet is not their fault. We must find someone to shoulder the blame for their lousy nutrition and sedentary lifestyle. Sue the government!

  6. Re:I've solved the mystery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    HAVASUPAI COUNCIL OF ELDERS
    P.O. Box 10
    SUPAI, ARIZONA
    (928) 448-2731

    NOTICE

    THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE HAVASUPAI INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO SLASHDOT, ALL READERS, AND ESPECIALLY THE USER 'KWIQSILVER'.

    You have been banished. Don't ever come back to visit, don't sprain your ankle and then hang around oggling us, and don't even ever talk about us again.

    You are dead to us. May your spirits find another path; this path is closed. We suggest Boulder, CO -- great vibe, same pseudo-spiritualism you seem to gravitate toward.

    Good day.

    Chief Iwanna Nata Hapocket