How the Atacama Skeleton Might Advance Discussion of Responsible Conduct of Research Responsibilities

Authors

Thomas May, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, Washington, USAFollow
Mariko Nakano-Okuno, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Document Type

Open Access Preprint

Anticipated Volume

91

Anticipated Issue

1

Abstract

Controversies resulting from genetic testing on skeletal remains of disputed stewardship raise important questions about obligations inherent on genetic researchers to assure ethical chain of custody. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate several proposed positions on whether such research should be published. Following jurisprudential standards for legitimate regulatory systems, we argue that responsible conduct of research requires reasonable attention to chain of custody, but cannot require guarantees, particularly in cases of ancient remains.

Recommended Citation

May, Thomas and Nakano-Okuno, Mariko, "How the Atacama Skeleton Might Advance Discussion of Responsible Conduct of Research Responsibilities" (2019). Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints. 150.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol_preprints/150