Storing genes of threatened peoples

Description

Storing genes of threatened peoples involves systematically collecting, preserving, and cataloguing genetic material from populations at risk of extinction or assimilation. This strategy aims to safeguard unique genetic diversity, enabling future research, potential restoration, and the prevention of irreversible loss due to disease, conflict, or cultural erosion. By maintaining secure gene banks, it provides a practical remedy to the threat of genetic and cultural disappearance, supporting long-term survival and resilience of vulnerable communities.

Context

Scientists wish to set up a gene bank which would store tissues of peoples threatened with extinction. This biological repository of the planet's vanishing people will then be used to reveal how humanity colonized the globe over the past 100,000 years. There is increasing urgency since many human groups that could provide important information are now threatened.

Implementation

Researchers have asked the Human Genome Organization (Hugo), which coordinates the international project for mapping all the human genes, to oversee research.