Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas
by Jennifer Raff
by Jennifer Raff
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around 4,500 years ago. The study was conducted only after extensive,<br />
multiyear consultation with <strong>the</strong> First Nations and Indigenous peoples who<br />
live <strong>the</strong>re today (36). When <strong>the</strong>y published <strong>the</strong> paper, <strong>the</strong> research team<br />
faced a natural next question: Would <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong> same patterns when <strong>the</strong>y<br />
looked at complete genomes?<br />
However, as researcher Ana Duggan told me, <strong>the</strong> team chose not to take<br />
that obvious next step, at least not right away. They felt it was crucial to<br />
instead go back and fur<strong>the</strong>r discuss <strong>the</strong> research with linked communities.<br />
“In <strong>the</strong> past ten years (since <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project) <strong>the</strong> technology<br />
had changed so much,” Duggan told me. The massive amount <strong>of</strong> data that is<br />
produced by sequencing complete ancient genomes can provide far more<br />
detailed information on population history, with potential consequences for<br />
affiliated communities that may not have been originally anticipated at <strong>the</strong><br />
project’s start. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>re had been leadership turnovers, and<br />
possibly evolving perspectives toward genetics among participating<br />
communities. Continuing on with <strong>the</strong> research, even though technically<br />
allowable under <strong>the</strong> original agreements, “didn’t really feel like <strong>the</strong> right<br />
thing to us,” Duggan told me. “It felt like something that needed more<br />
consultation. We took a step back in part because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> changing<br />
environment (political, social, genomic). We’re very proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> work that<br />
we did—which we felt was done well—and we would like to continue that<br />
trajectory.”<br />
This work from <strong>the</strong> Poinar lab group, as well as many o<strong>the</strong>r examples <strong>of</strong><br />
positive research outcomes have several things in common: a respect for<br />
tribal sovereignty and a prioritization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community’s wishes over <strong>the</strong><br />
scientists’ own research agendas, ongoing participation (to various extents)<br />
<strong>of</strong> community members in aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research, and time taken to build<br />
relationships ra<strong>the</strong>r than conducting “helicopter science.” In each case, <strong>the</strong><br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past that has been learned from <strong>the</strong>se respectful,<br />
reciprocal scientific partnerships has been extraordinary. We must go in this<br />
direction.<br />
The path forward in paleogenomics within <strong>the</strong> <strong>Americas</strong> will be nei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
quick nor easy. “We are at <strong>the</strong> mercy <strong>of</strong> centuries-old relationships, and it is<br />
our duty to recognize and disrupt those harmful legacies,” Diné (Navajo)<br />
geneticist Justin Lund said at a talk for <strong>the</strong> American Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Physical Anthropologists in 2021. Likening <strong>the</strong> disciplines <strong>of</strong> genetics and