1 August 2005

Maori Party Wants Answers on Genographic Project

The Maori Party today is asking questions of the Genographic Project, a huge project in which DNA samples will be extracted from 100,000 indigenous volunteers.

"It is an absolute priority to our membership that we require informed consent by the whanau, before any research is undertaken into blood and genetic codes of Maori" said Mrs Turia, co-leader, of the Maori Party.

"The Code of Rights makes it explicitly clear that the storage, preservation or utilisation of any body parts or bodily substances can occur only with the informed consent of the consumer" stated Mrs Turia.

"This same standard should apply to the proposed DNA research".

"Ethics and law would surely dictate that informed consent, and ethical approval, must be obtained before such research could proceed".

"The Maori Party recognises whakapapa as a taonga tuku iho to be protected" stated Mrs Turia.

ENDS

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