Cultural Issues and Concerns in the Conduct of Genomics Research: Perspectives from an Indigenous African Community

John-Moses Maduabuchi

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Chapter 12 Cultural Issues and Concerns in the Conduct of Genomics Research: Perspectives from an Indigenous African Community

In: An African Research Ethics Reader

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John-Moses Maduabuchi

John-Moses Maduabuchi
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 198–219

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004697676_013

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Abstract

Genomics research has variably been associated with the occurrence of community and dignitary harms. This is of great concern because genomics is a potent tool for exploring population history and disease incidences. It can contradict communities’ beliefs about origins and relationships. Varied conflicts in developing countries could be exacerbated by genomics research, especially when unknown ancestry and predisposition to diseases are exposed. This chapter reports and discusses some findings of a study designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of people from a typical African community about genomics research, and the cultural factors that could ameliorate or exacerbate the research risks. The study population was adult members of the Igbo-Ora community, in Oyo State, Nigeria. Their specific concerns about possible community harms due to genomics research have cultural and legal underpinnings and were variably conceptualized as assault, injury, neglect, offence, poisoning, provocation, endangering life, deception, insult, extortion, communal conflicts, defamation, destabilization of families, disgrace, dishonor, discrimination, exploitation, and stigmatization. Study respondents illustrated how collecting their body samples without adequate explanation, taking too much of their time without compensation, disclosing the findings of research in a culturally unacceptable way, revealing deep things about their genes and ancestry which could affect the community kingship and ascension to thrones, could disrupt their family traditions and affect their societies, negatively. These views and findings among the people of Igbo-Ora may or may not represent the opinion of other African communities but deserve to be discussed and considered by the global research community. The recommendations proffered by the respondents to ensure the forestalling of harms during the conduct of genomics research will also be presented and discussed.

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An African Research Ethics Reader

From the Ground Up

Series: Africana Philosophy, Volume: 1

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004697676

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 18 May 2024

Subjects
- African Studies
  - Sociology & Anthropology
- Philosophy
  - Bioethics / Ethics of Medicine

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Chapter 12 Cultural Issues and Concerns in the Conduct of Genomics Research: Perspectives from an Indigenous African Community

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An African Research Ethics Reader

From the Ground Up

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