posted on 2017-07-28, 12:07authored byRamaz Shengelia, Theodore G Schurr
The emergence and establishment of anthropological genetics as an
interdisciplinary science is primarily, associated with the development
of new genomic technologies. Precision genetic testing on the one hand,
and the rapidly increasing number of genetic investigations on the
other, have created a set of bioethical dilemmas for genetic and
epidemiology research. Such research deals with persons who have the
right to the protection of their personal information and
confidentiality, and also concerns collective (village, region, ethnic
group, state) consciousness, ethnic identity, and traditional culture,
i.e., so called “ethnic pride”. In this regard, taking into
consideration the results of ongoing field research, we make some
recommendations for better management of relationships with individuals
and communities and the preparation of questionnaires and informed
consent forms that will facilitate similar research projects, especially
in such an ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse region
such as the Caucasus.