Race to the Finish

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The Human Genome Diversity Project aimed to archive human genetic diversity through the genomes of isolated indigenous populations, initially sparking excitement among geneticists and evolutionary biologists. However, it faced significant backlash from physical anthropologists who argued it revived racist scientific categories, while indigenous-rights leaders condemned it as a "Vampire Project" that exploited indigenous people without benefiting them. Over a decade later, the initiative struggles to gain momentum, highlighting the complex intersection of science, ethics, and indigenous rights.