Is the Genographic Project bio-prospecting?
No. The Genographic Project research centers are to release the resulting genetic data (on an anonymous and aggregate basis) into the public domain to promote further research. The genetic data will be treated as discoveries, rather than inventions, and will not be patented. The scientific consortium comprised of the ten regional research centers will author scientific papers based on their analysis. At the time of publication, the data associated with the research will be made public. All findings will be released into the public domain. The Genographic Project is a nonprofit effort and its noncommercial focus is fully supported by all its partners.
No. the Genographic Project research centers will release the resulting genetic data (on an anonymous and aggregate basis) into the public domain to promote further research. The genetic data will be treated as discoveries, rather than inventions, and will not be patented. Is the Genographic Project linked to any medical research? No. The samples collected from the indigenous groups as well as the samples submitted by the general public via the Public Participation Kits will be analyzed for historical and anthropological data. From the Beeb: “There are still many questions we haven’t answered. Was there any interbreeding with Neanderthals as modern humans moved into Europe? Did any of the migrations to the Americas come across the Pacific – or even the Atlantic?” These and other unanswered questions form the research goals of the project. They include: • Who are the oldest populations in Africa – and therefore the world? • Did Alexander the Great’s armies leave a genetic trail? • Who w
