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African ancient DNA research requires robust ethics and permission protocols

In Africa, there is a disparity in ethics and permission requirements for molecular research on samples from living people versus ancient DNA. At the precipice of the archaeogenomics revolution, heritage agencies require updated policies and procedures for genetic and genomic research on African ancient DNA.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks the individuals in the University of Cape Town repository, W. Black of Iziko Museum for leading the conversations locally, and the community activists who are striving for better stewardship of human remains in South Africa.

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Correspondence to Victoria E. Gibbon.

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H3Africa: https://h3africa.org/

MARC: https://www.cohred.org/marc/

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Gibbon, V.E. African ancient DNA research requires robust ethics and permission protocols. Nat Rev Genet 21, 645–647 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-020-00285-w

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