from Priscilla Settee - Canadian Women's Health Network

other independent investigations on thegenome of indigenous peoples:a. We declare absolute opposition tothe Human Genome Diversity Project,and demand the immediate suspensionof any activities to collect geneticsamples, cell lines, or genetic data fromindigenous peoples, including ourdeceased ancestors.b. We demand the fullest cooperationof any government agency orindependent research institute in thereturn of all genetic materials, cell lines,and data they may have in theirpossession to the appropriategoverning authorities of the tribal group.c. We oppose any attempt tomonopolize or commercialize thegenetic samples, cell lines, or dataderived from the cell lines of Indigenouspeoples through the application ofintellectual property law and patentsystems.d. We oppose the genetic engineeringof Indigenous peoples’ genes andcloning. This includes cloningIndigenous peoples’ genes or genefragments into bacterial, viral,mammalian cell lines, or other vectors.We demand the immediate suspensionof activities that are currently using anyIndigenous peoples' DNA, genes orfragments in any cloningexperimentation.e. We demand the internationalscientific community condemn anyresearch that has been carried outcontrary to recognized human valuesand moral principles, and that violatesthe international codes of ethicsdescribed in the Nuremberg code andthe World Medical AssociationDeclaration of Helsinki.f. We reaffirm the governing entities ofIndigenous tribal peoples/nations havethe primary authority to deny access to,refuse to participate in, or to authorizeany removal of genetic materials fromour peoples or territories. The ethicalprinciple of "individual informedconsent" is also applicable, and issecondary to tribal governmentalconsent.g. We demand that scientific endeavorsand resources be prioritized to supportand improve social, economic andenvironmental conditions of Indigenouspeoples in their environments, therebydirectly improving health conditions andraising the overall quality of life.h. We demand an immediatemoratorium on collections and/orpatenting of genetic materials fromIndigenous persons and communitiesby any scientific project, healthorganization, governments,independent agencies, or individualresearchers.i. We demand that the US governmentand any governing agencies, to notparticipate, fund or provide anyassistance to the HGDP, or any relatedresearch projects which seek toresearch the genome of indigenouspeoples.j. We denounce the integrity of thereport by the Committee on HumanGenome Diversity of the NationalResearch council which gives unethicalendorsement to the Human GenomeDiversity Project while acknowledgingthe "lack of a sharply defined proposalthat it could evaluate".”As Indigenous peoples we have manyunanswered questions regarding the newbiotechnology industry, many of themcentre around the issue of respect andsome refer to the expropriation of thecircle of life or biodiversity. In many of ourcommunities these activities have beenreferred to as the final act of colonialismagainst Indigenous peoples. I havereported the concerns that IndigenousPeoples have not only about the HGDPbut about the potential threat tosovereignty and well being that theft ofbiodiversity has on Indigenouscommunities in North America andglobally.6