Hunter–gatherer genomics: evolutionary insights and ethical considerations

Abstract

Hunting and gathering societies currently comprise only a small proportion of all human populations. However, the geographic and environmental diversity of modern hunter-gatherer groups, their inherent dependence on ecological resources, and their connection to patterns of behavior and subsistence that represent the vast majority of human history provide opportunities for scientific research to deliver major insights into the evolutionary history of our species. We review recent evolutionary genomic studies of hunter-gatherers, focusing especially on those that identify and functionally characterize phenotypic adaptations to local environments. We also call attention to specific ethical issues that scientists conducting hunter-gatherer genomics research ought to consider, including potential social and economic tensions between traditionally mobile hunter-gatherers and the land ownership-based nation-states by which they are governed, and the implications of genomic-based evidence of long-term evolutionary associations with particular habitats.

Hunter–gatherer genetics research: Importance and avenues

“…These effects may be further exacerbated by reports from mainstream media, who often sensationalize findings with headlines such as ‘Africa's Pygmies not giving up on their ancient lifestyle’ (Donmez & Bogmis, 2021) and ‘face to face with Stone Age man: the Hadzabe tribe of Tanzania’ (Malone, 2007). Study results may even have an impact on the political position of hunter–gatherers, for instance if they suggest a recent uptake of the hunting and gathering lifestyle or an only recent occupation in the geographical area, which can in turn result in relocation, or forced settlement or otherwise impact land rights (Bankoff & Perry, 2016; Hudson et al, 2020). Contrastingly, research may also help to affirm a population's status as for instance rightful landowners when genetic data can indicate a group's longstanding presence in a certain geographical region, such as may be the case for Kusuma et al (2023) with the Punan Batu in Indonesia.…”

Scanning the human genome for “signatures” of positive selection: Transformative opportunities and ethical obligations

“…With community involvement, scientists might be informed to only investigate questions that are of interest to communities, and even questions that are specifically brought forth by community members 74 . The researcher‐community partnership should include the co‐development of advanced plans regarding the nature of the collaboration, details for any training opportunities, the potential use of data in future research studies, 75,76 a method for returning results to the community with the opportunity for the community to provide input into results interpretation, the consideration of the any broader implications of the results (e.g., governmental reactions, further marginalization), and the nature of any public dissemination of the results 77–80 . Ideally, the community should be given agency to guide how researchers acknowledge cultural and environmental context when publishing and otherwise disseminating research results.…”

Autosomal recessive diseases among the Athabaskans of the southwestern United States: anthropological, medical, and scientific aspects

“…European’s culture also has different ethical values than that of the Navajo (Carrese and Rhodes 1995 ). These differences have been discussed (Bankoff and Perry 2016 ) and specific guidelines of performing research on ancient DNA provided (Wagner et al 2020 ).…”