by Jessica C

Created on: November 19, 2009

The Yanomami Controversy

The ongoing struggle faced by the Yanomami population to regain ownership to blood samples of their deceased relatives, has led them to become the focus of an ethical controversy within the world of anthropology. Representatives from parties involved including both the National Cancer Institute and Pennsylvania State University must address the matter of the Yanomami blood samples, and work towards ending the issue at hand once and for all.

This indigenous tribe living along the border of Brazil and Venezuela have become a widespread phenomenon in part to what resulted from the work of American researchers Napolean Chagnon and James Neel throughout the late 1960's. Both researchers conducted ethnographic studies on the Yanomami population, ultimately leading to the collection of an abundance of blood samples. These collections were to be used to aid the lives of the Yanomami who were told of concerns regarding potential epidemic diseases amongst their people.

However, such findings which resulted from the completion of both American researchers were never provided to the Yanomami. After being misled into giving blood for the exchange of particular goods, the Yanomami believed the use of their blood for further study would not only benefit outsiders, but their well-being as well. Through the hope of being reimbursed with any information regarding potentially harmful diseases within their community, the Yanomami gave up an overwhelming amount of blood to be used for such study.

Nearly 30 years after being deceived by fieldworkers and having their attempts at religious closure gone disregarded, the Yanomami deserve possession over the remaining blood samples of their deceased relatives.

At the present moment, the Yanomami are in the midst of experiencing one of the most troubling times unbeknown to many. Besides having their region invaded by gold miners, the Yanomami are suffering from a great deal of afflictions causing a great deal of unhappiness throughout the population.

When the American researchers collected blood samples in the late 1960's from the Yanomami, they were promised feedback following the study of their blood. Even after the Yanomami did their share in aiding with research by giving blood, they have yet to receive any sort of response regarding the results of their studies. Due to the lack of crucial information regarding the findings coming from such research, a vast majority of the Yanomami have been continuing to die

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>