“It would be a strong signal about this sort of research on human samples stolen from the country,” Dr. León said. “It’s hardly unique in the bigger story about human remains,” he said. Dr. Santana-Sagredo and other Chilean scientists said that research on DNA from ancient human remains in their country could yield important insights. But the value of those findings should not override the ethical treatment of human remains, they said. “We have these powerful new tools in DNA research, but if it ends up destroying relationships between local communities and scientists, then are we losing more than we might gain?” Dr. Colwell asked.

Source: New York Times March 28, 2018 23:44 UTC