A human rights activist and a group of anthropologists and human biologists are looking at the way that research is conducted with Indigenous peoples.
This approach, published in the May 16 issue of Nature Microbiology, is the first to engage the microbiome sciences from an interdisciplinary perspective, and it isn't the first time that a call for more ethical research engagement in the biological sciences has been sounded.
An international group of authors from UNLV, The University of Arizona, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Vienna argue that the collection of microbiome data from Indigenous communities poses a series of ethical challenges that must be addressed.
The human microbiome is a collection of organisms that live on and in our bodies. Some organisms are beneficial and their study might lead to therapeutic benefits for a range of diseases. The desire to identify which of these microorganisms might hold the key to unlocking treatments for global health burdens in the West has led to a push for more biological sampling in low- to middle-income countries.
The authors argue that scientists target populations perceived to have less exposure to environmental toxins or who consume a diet similar to that of our ancestors, something they say is not only scientifically inaccurate, but also disrespectful to communities.
It isn't possible to "rewild" our diet or our bodies, says senior author, Alyssa Crittenden, an associate professor of anthropology at UNLV.
The logistical and ethical quandaries of collecting biological data from Indigenous communities are addressed by the authors.
The paper says that work in the microbiome sciences can either benefit study populations or further marginalize them in their own nations and beyond. There is a way to engage in more ethical research despite the long history of exploitation.
They want researchers to include and collaborate with participants from the beginning. They call for the abandonment of the idea that the gut microbiota of Indigenous communities are somehow representative of the ancestral state of our species.
The authors state that the critical first step is transparent dialogue with communities and the development of inclusive research infrastructure that addresses the needs of those providing the samples as well as those collecting them.
More information: Alyssa Crittenden, Ethical microbiome research with Indigenous communities, Nature Microbiology (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01116-w. www.nature.com/articles/s41564-022-01116-w Journal information: Nature Microbiology Citation: Exploring the ethical challenges in microbiome research (2022, May 16) retrieved 16 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-05-exploring-ethical-microbiome.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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