Evaluating Human Genetic Diversity (1997) / Chapter Skim
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1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Pages 10-15
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From page 10... ...
The variation has been used to explore the history of human groups, to study the evolutionary relationships among existing nonhuman primates and humans, to estimate the importance of selection and genetic drift in the shaping of the genetic structure of populations, and to determine the time of origin and the spread of specific mutations. An enormous body of data has accumulated on the extent of genetic variation among human beings, but most of the information has arisen opportunistically, having been driven by individual investigator initiatives and collected under widely differing conditions.
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From page 11... ...
To remedy those shortcomings, support has been growing in the international scientific community for a worldwide, geographically comprehensive survey of variation in the human genome. The most well-developed and widely recognized proposal for conducting such a survey is known as the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP)
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From page 12... ...
The fourth meeting was devoted to the completion of the report that follows. THE PROPOSED HUMAN GENOME DIVERSITY PROJECT In its fact-finding, it became apparent to the committee that the precise nature of the proposed survey was more elusive than the committee had initially envisioned; different participants in the formulation of its consensus document had quite different perceptions of the intent of the project and even of its organizational structure.
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From page 13... ...
The types suggested are populations whose use can answer specific questions about the processes that have had a major influence on the composition of current ethnic groups, language groups, and cultures; populations that are anthropologically unique; populations that constitute linguistic isolates; populations that might be especially informative in identifying the genetic etiology of important diseases; and populations that are in danger of losing their identity as recognizably separate cultural, linguistic, or geographic groups of individuals. The planners do not specify a sampling strategy.
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From page 14... ...
Nonetheless, it clearly is important that the administrative structure be a flexible one that invites and encourages widespread participation in the project and that can adapt to new investigative groups as they develop the requisite skills and interest. The planners have noted that the proposed survey poses ethical and legal issues; to address these, the regional committees, especially the North American one, have formulated a series of model ethical protocols for collecting DNA samples.
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From page 15... ...
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 15 logistical problems posed by such a project with respect to sampling design, obtaining and maintaining sufficient genetic material, access to research materials and information, and data handling. Chapter 5 examines ethical, legal, and social issues.
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