The intersection of genetic data and Indigenous oral histories created deep ethical and legal concerns. Critics argued that the project prioritized Western scientific narratives over centuries-old Traditional Knowledge .
: By studying mitochondrial DNA (maternal) and Y-chromosome markers (paternal), researchers reconstructed ancient migratory paths and regional variations. "The Genographic Project: Traditional Knowledge...
The Genographic Project ultimately highlighted the complex balance between the universalizing goals of Big Science and the specific, protected rights of Indigenous peoples over their own biological and cultural history . The intersection of genetic data and Indigenous oral