A quick pointer to some new information regarding the Human Genome
Diversity Project (HGDP).
Last week a group of indigenous people and NGOs testified at a meeting of
the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on the Human Genome Diversity
Project, which is making reccommendations to the U.S. Government regarding
funding for the project.
The group testifying against the HGDP concurred that the HGDP should not
proceed, or get any more U.S. Government money, until adequate mechanisms
are in place to ensure that none of the materials HGDP collects will be
patented, and that full prior informed consent of peoples and groups
participating in the project will be obtained.
Two scientists in favor of the project also testified.
Photos and brief quotes (hopefully to be expanded soon) from the testimony
as well as RAFI's press release about the meeting can be found at:
http:/www.charm.net/~rafi/rafihome.html
Thanks,
Edward Hammond
RAFI