Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism

Lore & Background

The IPCB was founded in 1999 by Debra Harry, who became its Executive Director, following her growing concerns over a perceived impact of genetic colonialism on the lives of indigenous peoples. The organization objects to genetic variation research on isolated populations, as well as its prospective commercial exploration, claiming it as a global threat not only to the self-determination of all indigenous peoples but also to the non-indigenous world and to the earth itself. The group's protests were based on a rejection of participating in scientific research that would negate or otherwise contradict traditional Native American accounts and narratives about their ancestral origins, and lend support to other alternative views.

Reader's Guide

The Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism represents a significant intersection of indigenous rights activism and scientific research ethics. By coining the term 'biocolonialism,' the IPCB framed population genetics studies—particularly those involving isolated indigenous groups—as a form of colonial exploitation. Their protests against the National Geographic's Genographic Project in 2005 and 2006 highlighted tensions between scientific inquiry and indigenous sovereignty over genetic data and cultural narratives. The organization's stance that such research threatens self-determination and even the earth itself reflects a broader critique of biotechnology's impact on marginalized communities. While the IPCB's claims are disputed by many scientists, their activism contributed to ongoing debates about consent, benefit-sharing, and the ethical conduct of human genetic research. The group's inclusion of directors such as George Annas, Jonathan Marks, and Stuart Newman indicates interdisciplinary engagement with bioethics and anthropology. Their legacy lies in raising awareness of how genetic research can be perceived as invasive, and in advocating for indigenous peoples' control over their genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

Did You Know?

• The term 'biocolonialism' is a neologism—a portmanteau of 'bio-' and 'colonialism'—used by the IPCB to pejoratively characterize population genetics research.
• The IPCB was a signatory of the Indigenous Peoples' Seattle Declaration in 1999.
• The group protested against the National Geographic's Genographic Project in 2005 and 2006.
• The IPCB's Executive Director is Debra Harry, who founded the organization in 1999.