Some Discussions on Ethics of Ancient DNA Research

Abstract

During the relatively short period of time since the first ancient human genome was sequenced, there has been a significant increase in the number of ancient DNA research using human samples. This scientifically invaluable filed of research continues to reveal various previously unknown details about biological and socio-cultural history of humans. In this regard, ancient DNA research attracts the attention of researchers from many different disciplines. However, there has also been a notable increase in the discussions about ethical principles to be followed in ancient DNA research using human samples. In this article, including ethical guidelines developed especially in the recent years, some discussions that have importance in the ethics of ancient DNA research are examined together with their historical backgrounds. Also, some ethical considerations are highlighted.

Keywords

• Ancient DNA
• research ethics
• archaeogenetic
• genetics
• paleogenomic

Antik DNA Araştırmaları Etiği Üzerine Bazı Tartışmalar

Abstract

İlk antik insan genomunun dizilenmesinden bu yana geçen görece kısa sürede, insan örnekleri kullanılarak yürütülen antik DNA araştırmalarında dikkate değer bir sayısal artış gözlenmektedir. Bilimsel değeri son derece yüksek olan bu araştırma alanı insanın biyolojik ve sosyo-kültürel geçmişi hakkında daha önce bilinmeyen birçok detayı ortaya çıkarmaya devam etmektedir. Bu bakımdan antik DNA araştırmaları birçok farklı disiplinden araştırmacıların ilgisini çekmektedir. Fakat aynı zamanda, insan örnekleri kullanılarak yürütülen antik DNA araştırmalarında izlenecek etik ilkeler hakkındaki tartışmalarda da dikkate değer bir artış gözlenmektedir. Bu makalede, özellikle son yıllarda geliştirilen etik yönergelerle birlikte, antik DNA araştırmaları etiği konusunda önemi olan bazı tartışmalar tarihsel kökenleriyle birlikte incelenmekte ve dikkate alınması gereken bazı hususlar vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Antik DNA
• araştırma etiği
• arkeogenetik
• genetik
• paleogenomik

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