Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology

2014 Edition
| Editors: Claire Smith

Indigenous Peoples and the Challenges of Genetic/DNA Studies

  • Sheila M. van Holst Pellekaan
  • Mark Dugay-Grist
Reference work entry
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_17
How to cite

Introduction

All human societies have developed ways of explaining the natural world around them, resulting in different belief systems that also provide a framework for sociopolitical structures and physical and spiritual connections. Archaeology examines material evidence of the past, and archaeological methods have arisen through theoretical and technological science-based endeavor. Genetic analyses probe the essential molecules of organisms that are templates for life, presenting personal and societal challenges. Indigenous knowledge includes scientific knowledge acquired by experience and application to the needs and circumstances of communities that are not necessarily grounded in the ways of western science. Indigenous peoples have lived through recent histories of colonization while retaining much of their culture and belief systems which is a tribute to resilience, survival, and an indication that western-based science should not and does not always replace those belief...

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References

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Further Reading

  1. Canadian Institutes Of Health Research. 2007. CIHR guidelines for health research involving Aboriginal people. Available at: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29134.html
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  3. Indigenous Peoples Council On Biocolonialism. n.d. Available at: http://www.ipcb.org/ (accessed 30 October 2010).
  4. Jacobs, B., J. Roffenbender, J. Collmann, K. Cherry, L. L. Bitsoi, K. Bassett & C.H. Evans Jr. 2010. Bridging the divide between genomic science and indigenous peoples. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 38: 684-96.Google Scholar
  5. Mitchell, T. 1839. Three expeditions into the interior of eastern Australia. London: T. & W. Boone. Available at: http://freeread.com.au/ebooks/e00035.html (accessed 9 January 2012).
  6. Mello, M.M. & L.E.Wolf. 2010. The Havasupai Indian tribe case – lessons for research involving stored biological samples. New England Journal of Medicine 363(3): 204-7.Google Scholar
  7. Sturt, C. 1833/1999. Two expeditions into the interior of southern Australia. (First published Smith, Elder & Co.; first edition by Corkwood Press, North Adelaide). Available at: http://freeread.com.au/ebooks/e00058.html (accessed 9 January 2012).

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sheila M. van Holst Pellekaan
    • 1
  • Mark Dugay-Grist
    • 2
  1. 1.School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
  2. 2.Grist Archaeology Heritage ManagementFrankston SouthAustralia