Model Resolution for Indigenous Organizations
Resolution Calling for a Halt to The Genographic Project

WHEREAS, the Genographic Project is a five-year, $40 million project of the National Geographic Society, IBM Corporation, and Waitt Family Foundation launched on April 13, 2005 to collect, analyze and store 100,000 DNA samples of Indigenous peoples worldwide to study human origins and migrations; and

WHEREAS, the Genographic Project also intends to analyze “ancient DNA” derived from the bodies of our deceased ancestors; and

WHEREAS, the Genographic Project also seeks to collect oral histories of Indigenous peoples to be compiled in the Genographic Database, which will be proprietary to National Geographic Society; and

WHEREAS, the Genographic Project plans to conduct research at 10 international research centers, which may impact up to 1,000 Indigenous nations worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the Genographic Project has failed to initiate a process of formal consultations with the governments of the potentially affected Indigenous nations; and

WHEREAS, the University of Pennsylvania Social and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board has approved the Genographic Project’s North America Protocol, giving the Genographic Project the authority to proceed in North America; and

WHEREAS, it is unethical to proceed with human population genetic research on Indigenous peoples where the risks to the subject population outweigh the benefits; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the undersigned Indigenous Nations and organizations call upon the National Geographic Society to halt the Genographic Project and all its activities and aims; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, Indigenous nations are encouraged to prohibit activities related to the Genographic Project to be conducted on lands within their jurisdiction, including collection of blood samples and oral histories; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we call upon or friends and allies to boycott the products and services of the National Geographic Society, the IBM Corporation, and Gateway Computer until the Genographic Project is halted.

Transmit the adopted resolution to:                       Please send a copy to IPCB

Spencer Wells
Terry Garcia                                                                  IPCB
National Geographic Society                                    PO Box 72
1145 17th Street, NW                                                  Nixon, NV 89424
Washington, DC  20036-4688                                   USA
USA                                                                                  Fax: (775) 574-0345
Fax: (202) 857-7333