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African ancient DNA research requires robust ethics and permission protocols

Nature Reviews Genetics volume 21, pages 645–647 (2020)Cite this article

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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.

Archaeogenetics, using ancient DNA to understand past human societies, is growing globally at an unprecedented rate1,2 and providing illuminating insights into past societies3. With the source of human origins likely to be in Africa, there is great interest to sample ancient human remains on the continent. However, rigorous processes regarding research into ancient samples are lacking, with major discrepancies and disparity in ethics and permission requirements. To ensure non-biased, ethically sound and scientifically rigorous research on archaeological samples, current African ethical standards for molecular research on living people need to be upheld in archaeological scenarios to ensure the protection of individuals and their descendants.

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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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  1. Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa

    Victoria E. Gibbon

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  1. Victoria E. Gibbon
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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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