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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 06:35 PM Jun 2014

US Scientists, Oil Giant Stole Indigenous Blood

Published on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 by Common Dreams

US Scientists, Oil Giant Stole Indigenous Blood

For years, scientists working with Maxus Energy took blood samples from hundreds of Amazonian tribal members

- Max Ocean, editorial intern


[font size=1]
Members of the Ecuadorean indigenous group known as the Huaorani
(Credit: Jean-François Renaud/cc/flickr)[/font]

U.S. scientists working together with oil company Maxus Energy took around 3,500 blood samples from the indigenous Amazonian tribe known as the Huaorani, Ecuador charged on Monday.

The Huaorani are known for a unique genetic makeup that makes them immune to certain diseases.

René Ramírez, the head of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, told Ecuador state TV on Monday that samples were taken from around 600 Huaorani, and that multiple pints of blood were taken from many members of the tribe. Ramírez said that it is not yet known whether the samples have resulted in any commercial gains, but that samples were sold for scientific research.

According to an initial investigation two years ago, “It was demonstrated that the Coriell Institute has in its stores samples (from the Huaorani) and that it sells genetic material from the Huaorani people.” Harvard University was among the purchasers. Specifically, the 2012 report found that since 1994, seven cell cultures and 36 blood samples were distributed to eight different countries.

In the same report the Huaorani said that scientists had tricked them into allowing their blood to be taken between 1990 and 1991; however, President Rafael Correa said that there is now evidence that samples were taken as far back as the 1970s “in complicity with the oil company operating in the area.”

The Huaorani allegedly agreed to give the blood samples because scientists lied to them about why the samples were being taken. They were told the samples were being taken for medical tests, but never received results.

According to the website Hispanically Speaking News, in his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Correa said that at least 31 research papers were written between 1989 and 2012 based on the blood samples obtained––all without the consent of the Huaorani or the royalty payments normally required.

The taking of the samples was illegal, as Ecuador’s constitution bans the use of scientific research including genetic material in violation of human rights.

According to AFP, when the allegations first emerged in 2012, the U.S. Embassy said it was not aware of the case, and they did not immediately issue a response after Ecuador brought the charges on Monday.

_____________________

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/18-6

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Demeter

(85,373 posts)
1. An Oil Company? Sounds like a scavenger company!
Wed Jun 18, 2014, 06:47 PM
Jun 2014

Which oil company was it?

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/maxus-energy-corporation-history/


Texas...it figures. And they were scavenging. They were in the toilet due to some foolishness.

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
4. Texas! Figures, doesn't it? Wow. What Texas companies have done to the Americas...
Fri Jun 20, 2014, 02:22 AM
Jun 2014

Indigenous people have been treated like so much trash at their hands. That has never seemed to bother the European-descended people in the Americas one tiny bit. They abuse them, as well. Completely unholy.

Thank you for the links.

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
6. US lab ’sold indigenous blood’: Ecuador
Sat Jun 28, 2014, 10:23 PM
Jun 2014

US lab ’sold indigenous blood’: Ecuador
Friday, 27 June 2014 23:52
Posted by Muhammad Iqbal
QUITO: A US laboratory sold across at least eight countries blood samples taken without consent from an indigenous group, Ecuador alleged on Friday after a months-long investigation.

The samples were taken from the Huaorani ethnic group of about 3,000 people who live in a corner of Ecuador's isolated Amazon basin region, it is alleged.

The group is known for its unique genetic profile and immunity to disease, making it attractive to researchers.

The New Jersey-based Coriell Institute for Medical Research "eventually sold it in at least eight countries," Maria Del Pilar Troya, undersecretary of state for education and science, told AFP.

Germany, Brazil, Canada, the United States, India, Italy, Japan and Singapore were among the countries in which Ecuador believes the specimens were sold.

According to the Quito government which has strained ties with Washington more than 3,500 blood samples were taken over 30 years ago from 600 members of the Amazonian tribe.

The case arose following a 2010 complaint by a Huaorani Indian. The Huaorani said they were told the blood samples were for medical tests for them, but the results never came.

More:
http://www.brecorder.com/world/south-america/181447.html


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