Bader Alyssa C, Malhi Ripan S
1 Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
2 School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Hum Biol. 2015 Oct;87(4):338-351. doi: 10.13110/humanbiology.87.4.0338.
Understanding the complexities of ancestry-related identity is a necessary component of ethically sound research related to the genetic ancestry of modern-day communities. This is especially true when working with indigenous populations, given the legal and social implications that genetic ancestry interpretations may have in these communities. This study employs a multicomponent approach to explore the intricacies of ancestry-related identity within one extended family with members who identify as Alaskan Native. The seven participants were interviewed about their own self-identity, perceptions regarding genetic ancestry estimation, and their knowledge of oral family history. Additionally, each participant consented to having his or her genetic ancestry estimated. The researchers also surveyed ancestry-related documents, such as census records, birth certificates, and Certificates of Indian Blood. These three different perspectives-oral family history and self-identity, genetic ancestry estimation, historical and legal documentation-illustrate the complex nature of ancestry-related identity within the context of indigenous and colonial interactions in North America. While estimates of genetic ancestry broadly reflected each individual's self-reported biogeographic ancestry and supported all described and historically reported biological relationships, the estimates did not always match federally recorded blood quantum values, nor did they provide any information on relationships at the tribe or clan level. Employing a multicomponent approach and engaging study participants may help to safeguard against genetic essentialism and provide a more nuanced understanding of ancestry-related identity within a larger political, legal, and historical context.
理解与血统相关的身份认同的复杂性，是与现代社区基因血统相关的伦理健全研究的必要组成部分。在与原住民群体合作时尤其如此，因为基因血统解读在这些社区可能产生法律和社会影响。本研究采用多组分方法，探索一个大家庭中与血统相关的身份认同的复杂性，该家庭中有成员自认为是阿拉斯加原住民。研究人员对七名参与者进行了访谈，询问他们的自我身份认同、对基因血统估计的看法以及他们对家族口述历史的了解。此外，每位参与者都同意对其基因血统进行估计。研究人员还调查了与血统相关的文件，如人口普查记录、出生证明和印第安血统证书。这三种不同的视角——家族口述历史和自我身份认同、基因血统估计、历史和法律文件——揭示了在北美原住民与殖民者互动的背景下，与血统相关的身份认同的复杂本质。虽然基因血统估计大致反映了每个人自我报告的生物地理血统，并支持所有描述的和历史记载的生物学关系，但这些估计并不总是与联邦记录的血统比例值相符，也没有提供任何关于部落或氏族层面关系的信息。采用多组分方法并让研究参与者参与进来，可能有助于防范基因本质主义，并在更大的政治、法律和历史背景下，对与血统相关的身份认同提供更细致入微的理解。
