Nature News and Comment has a thoughtful piece about the Navajo Nation’s difficult history with genetic testing, and the current debate happening about whether or not to allow genetic testing of tribe members as a new cancer center opens in Arizona. Tribal members, leaders and researchers are working to draft a policy that recognizes and prevents past abuses and violations of trust but also seeks a path for Navajo people to see the benefits of advanced cancer care that often involves genetic analysis of blood and tissue samples.
“Navajo Nation reconsiders ban on genetic research” by Sara Reardon in Nature.
This article is a great mix of science, history and ethics – and could be useful to teachers across several disciplines.