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Hiratsuka VY, Hahn MJ, Woodbury RB, Hull SC, Wilson DR, Bonham VL, Dillard DA, Avey JP, Beckel-Mitchener AC, Blome J, Claw K, Ferucci ED, Gachupin FC, Ghazarian A, Hindorff L, Jooma S, Trinidad SB, Troyer J, Walajahi H. Alaska Native genomic research: perspectives from Alaska Native leaders, federal staff, and biomedical researchers. Genet Med 2020; 22:1935-1943. [PMID: 32839571 PMCID: PMC7708301 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Meaningful engagement of Alaska Native (AN) tribes and tribal health organizations is essential in the conduct of socially responsible and ethical research. As genomics becomes increasingly important to advancements in medicine, there is a risk that populations not meaningfully included in genomic research will not benefit from the outcomes of that research. AN people have historically been underrepresented in biomedical research; AN underrepresentation in genomics research is compounded by mistrust based on past abuses, concerns about privacy and data ownership, and cultural considerations specific to this type of research. Working together, the National Human Genome Research Institute and two Alaska Native health organizations, Southcentral Foundation and the Alaska Native Health Board, cosponsored a workshop in July 2018 to engage key stakeholders in discussion, strengthen relationships, and facilitate partnership and consideration of participation of AN people in community-driven biomedical and genomic research. AN priorities related to translation of genomics research to health and health care, return of genomic results, design of research studies, and data sharing were discussed. This report summarizes the perspectives that emerged from the dialogue and offers considerations for effective and socially responsible genomic research partnerships with AN communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Katrina Claw
- Department of Medicine-Bioinformatics, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Francine C Gachupin
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | | | - Sonya Jooma
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Susan B Trinidad
- Department of Bioethics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Walajahi H, Wilson DR, Hull SC. Constructing identities: the implications of DTC ancestry testing for tribal communities. Genet Med 2019; 21:1744-1750. [PMID: 30662065 PMCID: PMC6642857 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0429-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic ancestry companies have rapidly increased in popularity, with top testing services maintaining genetic databases of several million consumers. While genetic ancestry tests are often characterized as recreational, companies invoke deeply personal concepts of individual identity, group membership, and kinship when marketing their services. In particular, many companies claim to be able to determine Native American heritage, claims that are not supported by the state of the science and may have significant cultural and political consequences for US tribal communities. This study aims to fill the gaps in empirical work on this issue and characterize how genetic ancestry companies articulate indigenous identity through their marketing strategies. METHODS We conducted a qualitative content analysis of the public facing websites for 25 DTC genetic ancestry companies that offer services measuring Native American ancestry. RESULTS Our findings describe how genetic ancestry companies promote a causal relationship between genetics and self-identity through marketing language such as "Discover Yourself" and "Are you Native American?" and how this may affect US tribal communities. CONCLUSION Genetic ancestry company claims regarding genetic ancestry, personal identity, and cultural membership are problematic and challenge how US tribal nations currently identify and create potential obstacles for tribal sovereignty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Walajahi
- Department of Bioethics, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David R Wilson
- Tribal Health Research Office, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sara Chandros Hull
- Department of Bioethics, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Bioethics Core, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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