DNA PROBE ANGERS THE 'ENDANGERED'
Cayuga and Onandaga leaders are suspicious of a scientific study
that wants DNA samples from their nations.
written Robert L. Smith
reprinted w/o permissiopn from the
Sept. 9, 1993 Syracuse Post Standard
A body of scientists will convene today to discuss an extraordinary
effort: an attempt to collect DNA samples from 400 human groups and map
the history of civilization. The Human Genome Diversity Project takes
its urgency from the fact that many of the cultures the scientists need
to study are disappearing. While the project awaits government and
private funding, anthropologists and genetic scientists are already at
work. They have compiled a list of population groups whose members
would be approached for blood samples, tissue scrapings and perhaps a
few strands of hair.
The Onondagas are enraged to find their nation on that list. "Nobody
asked us," said Oren Lyons, an Onandaga faithkeeper, who fears the
project would exploit native peoples.
A second Iroquois nation, the Cayuga, also made the dubious roster.
"I'll be darned," said Cayuga Chief Frank Bonami, who has not ruled out
cooperating. "I would like to know the full story. I mean, are they
just studying Indians again, or do they have something really scientific
in mind?"
Scientists insist their aims are pure and pressing. It begins with
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, the stuff in chromosomes, which transmit
hereditary characteristics. Ethnic history lies hidden within
everyone's DNA. The trick, geneticists say, is to crack the code. And
new techniques of molecular biology are allowing scientists to decode
DNA molecules like never before. With a wide enough sampling of DNA,
some scientists believe they could reconstruct human evolution, trace
global migrations and answer questions that have vexed anthropologists
and historians for centuries.
"From where did American Indian Cultures arise? Why are some groups
more susceptible to certain diseases? These are the things we could
find out," said Robert Sokal, a distinguished professor of evolution at
the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Sokal, an expert in
the origins of European populations, holds out great hope for the Genome
Diversity Project, which grew out of the work of a pair of Stanford
University geneticists. "Fifty years from now, we'll have completely
new technology to ask questions we cannot ask today," he said. "The
important thing is to keep those (DNA) cell lines alive."
Many share his view. The National Institutes of Health and the U.S.
Department of Energy signed on last year, agreeing to fund four planning
workshops for American and European scientists. Organizers hope the
final workshop, which begins today on the Mediterranean island of
Sardinia, will result in an action plan.
"If everything goes well, we could be full scale in 1995," said Jean
Doble, assistant director of the Morrison Institute for Population and
Resource Studies at Stanford, and the project administrator.
$23 MILLION COST
It is a huge undertaking being plotted. For the plan to work, DNA
samples must be collected from hundreds of different ethnic groups,
including small tribes from obscure cultures, Sokal said. That effort
is expected to cost $23 million over five years. anthropologists and
technicians would visit 400 population groups and draw blood from 25
unrelated people, then rush it to a laboratory to have the DNA
"immortalized" in a test tube culture. Hair and tissue scrapings could
also yield the DNA molecules.
The aim is to create a system that makes the data available to any
researcher who wishes to analyze it. Project scientists expect to come
away with new strategies for fighting diseases, for example, information
that the U.S. government or U.S corporations could conceivably patent.
In April, the World Council of Indigeonous Peoples issued a statement
harshly critical of a project whose economic benefits, it said, would
fall to "the economically fittest." "They're talking about potential
commerce," Lyons said. "We don't want to be a part of it."
Doble said the list that includes the Onondagas and the Cayugas is a
preliminary roster and was not meant to be circulated. She said each
population group will be approached for permission before any sampling
begins. In the meantime, she said, project scientists realize they have
a world of fears and concerns to overcome. This issue has proven to be
a sensitive one," she said.
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STAR TREK: The Missing Gene-er-nation
Didja ever notice how come there ain't no Injuns on STAR TREK?
Like, did all indigenous peoples (that is, "Indians") go into species
extinction as energy guzzling, high tech civilization peaked on planet
Earth amid the smoking ruin of Amazon, African and Asian rainforests?
Or maybe it was cuz they refused to participate in this here Human
Genome Diversity Project that in the 21st Century their genetic
characteristics couldn't be reliably programmed into future generation
clones?
Or maybe Injuns juz plain lack the genetic sense in der gonads to ever
adapt out of primitive into high tech cultures? But then dere wuz Mayas
'n Incas, huh?
I mean, doncha ever think bout such stuff? Ya can't juz sit there 'n
eat yer popcorn!
Near the bottom of this scientific insanity and political
schizophrenia is this: Cayuga Nation ain't got no land left to call
their own. NYS took all Cayuga land in a 1790s series of treaties.
However, since 1976 NYS has agreed the 1790s land treaties were
illegal. Since 1976 NYS has tried to negotiate in reasonably good faith
a settlement for its brash and illadvised 1790s actions. As part of
this settlemrnt, NYS.has tried to offer Cayuga Nation, such as does
remain of it, at least enough land so they got enough space for one
village to preserve what's left of their culture and genes. But every
time NYS offers a particular parcal of land to the Cayugas, whites all
around use federal pressure to have the deal shut down.
Think about it? Would you wanna bunch a pagan, thievin, drinkin
injuns livin in the town nex ta ya? Nex thing ya know they'll have a 24
hour casino -- then you'll never get a peaceful night's sleep and lose
all your spending besides!
So rather than contribute some of that $23 MILLION to resolve any of
the Cayugas' immediate survival problems, this international funded
research project is going around collecting endangered genes. It can be
annoying. If you're a Cayuga. Maybe a fundraiser -- a sequel to "Last
of the Mohicans" called "The Last 300 Cayugas." -- a modern espionage
thriller involving a CIA sperm bank and an unknown international cartel
based in the Swiss Alps. OOnly this time we bring the alien angle --
how they ain't really us, like earthlings, which is why they want all
these DNA samples.....
Enough BS. A real helping hand is needed for continued sdurvival in
the face of extinction. Instead they want DNA samples. Ready for
museum status before you're even fully extinct. What a mad, insulting
world. I don't suppose the Amazon gene pool can expect much else.
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-- for a green and peaceful planet, turtle
David Yarrow, turtle from Salt Lake
Earthwise Education Center, P. O. Box 91, Camden, NY 13316
"be earthwise, not clockwise"
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