The October 14 issue of The Scientist reporting on the controversy plaguing the proposed Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP) [K.Y. Kreeger, page 1] gives the mistaken impression that the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) has "softened" its views in opposition to the proposed HGDP. Nothing could be further from the truth. As I said in testimony before the National Academy of Sciences committee on September 16:
To date, the HGDP has been formally opposed in more than 20 declarations issued by indigenous peoples worldwide. It has been condemned by the European Parliament. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declined to endorse the HGDP. We don't believe the individuals associated with the HGDP are bad people, we just think the project is a very bad idea.
Given the international controversy and unresolved issues surrounding the HGDP, we believe that it would be a grave mistake for the ...
