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Begay RL, Garrison NA, Sage F, Bauer M, Knoki-Wilson U, Begay DH, Becenti-Pigman B, Claw KG. Weaving the Strands of Life ( Iiná Bitł'ool): History of Genetic Research Involving Navajo People. Hum Biol 2021; 91:189-208. [PMID: 32549035 DOI: 10.13110/humanbiology.91.3.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
To date, some genetic studies offer medical benefits but lack a clear pathway to benefit for people from underrepresented backgrounds. Historically, Indigenous people, including the Diné (Navajo people), have raised concerns about the lack of benefits, misuse of DNA samples, lack of consultation, and ignoring of cultural and traditional ways of knowing. Shortly after the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board was established in 1996, the Navajo Nation recognized growing concerns about genetic research, and in 2002 they established a moratorium on human genetic research studies. The moratorium effectively has protected their citizens from potential genetic research harms. Despite the placement of the moratorium, some genetic research studies have continued using blood and DNA samples from Navajo people. To understand the history of genetic research involving Navajo people, the authors conducted a literature review of genetic or genetics-related research publications that involved Navajo people, identifying 79 articles from the years 1926 to 2018. To their knowledge, no known literature review has comprehensively examined the history of genetic research in the Navajo community. This review divides the genetic research articles into the following general classifications: bacteria or virus genetics, blood and human leukocyte antigens, complex diseases, forensics, hereditary diseases, and population genetics and migration. The authors evaluated the methods reported in each article, described the number of Navajo individuals reported, recorded the academic and tribal approval statements, and noted whether the study considered Diné cultural values. Several studies focused on severe combined immunodeficiency disease, population history, neuropathy, albinism, and eye and skin disorders that affect Navajo people. The authors contextualize Diné ways of knowing related to genetics and health with Western scientific concepts to acknowledge the complex philosophy and belief system that guides Diné people and recognizes Indigenous science. They also encourage researchers to consider cultural perspectives and traditional knowledge that has the potential to create stronger conclusions and better-informed, ethical, and respectful science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene L Begay
- Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nanibaa' A Garrison
- Institute for Society and Genetics, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Institute for Precision Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board, Window Rock, Arizona, USA
| | - Franklin Sage
- Diné Policy Institute, Navajo Nation, Tsaile, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - David H Begay
- Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board, Window Rock, Arizona, USA.,Diné Hataałii Association, Navajo Nation, USA
| | | | - Katrina G Claw
- Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA, .,Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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