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Yá'át'ééh abíní! Good morning in Diné bizaad (Navajo language)! In case you do not already know me, here are details below. But in conjunction with #DecolonizeDNA Day and #DNADay, I wanted to introduce what it means to "decolonize #DNA" & its impacts. https://twitter.com/kstsosie/status/1214917081314914305?s=20 1/
#DNADay recognizes those who contributed to understanding #DNA 
, incl. my #WomeninSTEM hero Rosalind Franklin ( https://decolonize-dna.org/dna-day/ ).
To " #decolonize" DNA is not to diminish their achievements but rather to re-frame the impacts of DNA in our own respective narratives. 2/
, incl. my #WomeninSTEM hero Rosalind Franklin ( https://decolonize-dna.org/dna-day/ ).To " #decolonize" DNA is not to diminish their achievements but rather to re-frame the impacts of DNA in our own respective narratives. 2/
I want to iterate: to " #decolonize #science" is not to dispute repeated & observed biological facts about #DNA.
BUT we call attention to WHAT Qs we as scientists ask, HOW we conduct studies, HOW we interpret, WHO we include/exclude, WHY we invest in some Qs and not others. 3/
BUT we call attention to WHAT Qs we as scientists ask, HOW we conduct studies, HOW we interpret, WHO we include/exclude, WHY we invest in some Qs and not others. 3/
These Qs (what, how, who we include/exclude in #genetic studies, what Qs we fund or not fund) are VALUE-laden. They are often made by empowered individuals who may or may not represent the communities that these judgments affect. 4/
When #genetic studies exclude at-risk people, or when funding agencies decide to fund or de-fund certain kinds of #research, disparities are widened. Structural barriers to #health are exacerbated. Benefits of #research are not extended to all.
#health inequities persist. 5/
#health inequities persist. 5/
As much as we like to believe that " #science is objective", these value-laden judgments (made w/ each funding $ allocated or when we render accept/reject decisions on papers and grants) highlight the SUBJECTIVITY in the field.
Please recognize/acknowledge the agency in this. 6/
Please recognize/acknowledge the agency in this. 6/
To " #decolonize #science" is not "anti-science"!
1) There are more academically-trained members of #BIPOC & underrepresented communities in #science today. Many of whom are a part of this #DecolonizeDNA Day event.
2) Scientists are present in cultures pre-dating universities 7/
1) There are more academically-trained members of #BIPOC & underrepresented communities in #science today. Many of whom are a part of this #DecolonizeDNA Day event.
2) Scientists are present in cultures pre-dating universities 7/
For instance, throughout history, #Indigenous people used traditional knowledge from generations of experiential learning and repeated observations to understand the world around them. We have been and continue to be scientists. @ConversationCA https://theconversation.com/how-indigenous-knowledge-advances-modern-science-and-technology-89351 8/
#Indigenous people have used our scientific knowledge to the world (aspirin, anyone?), and we continue to innovate #genetics and its impacts in #policy.
Read a preprint on #Indigenous #Science (with @drkatclaw in @HumanBioJournal) https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1163&context=humbiol_preprints 9/
Read a preprint on #Indigenous #Science (with @drkatclaw in @HumanBioJournal) https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1163&context=humbiol_preprints 9/
By the way, please expand on this with your own examples of #science as culturally-grounded in your tradition! 10/
I also want to challenge the assertion that " #decolonize #science" is "anti-White".
We as underrepresented communities know we are not in the majority, and certainly not in #academia. Which is why we need allies and advocates. Be an ally by acknowledging power inequity. 11/
We as underrepresented communities know we are not in the majority, and certainly not in #academia. Which is why we need allies and advocates. Be an ally by acknowledging power inequity. 11/
While I am glad that so many who use #DNA are also cognizant of culturally-appropriate methods grounded in community-based participatory research ( https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05188-3), I as an #Indigenous geneticist STILL encounter academics who state, " #Ethics is a waste of time." 12/
If you are a #scientist, #academic in #research, keeping up-to-date with #ethical and equitable methods should be a part of your everyday toolkit. Know the history of your field. Listen to your peers who, more increasingly, are coming from historically disadvantaged groups. 13/
This is why I am so proud to introduce @mitoPR @inthosegenespod @Hood_Biologist @JBYoder @DarrylLeroux @mathprofcarrie @KeoluFox. They are all, in their own unique ways, advancing these inclusive discussions within their own fields of #DNA. #DecolonizeDNA 14/
As a unique Venn diagram, they are all great #academics, great #scicomm and proficient Twitter users, and either come from or are recognized allies of one or more underrepresented community whose #DecolonizeDNA narrative is unique and should be heard 15/ https://decolonize-dna.org/schedule/
In short, to " #decolonize #science" is:
- not "anti-science" as we have & continue to be scientists
- not a re-writing of the fundamentals of #DNA
- a call-out to the subjectivity and power in #research
- a call for EVERYONE to be a better ally
#DecolonizeDNA 16/16 END! Ahéhée'
- not "anti-science" as we have & continue to be scientists
- not a re-writing of the fundamentals of #DNA
- a call-out to the subjectivity and power in #research
- a call for EVERYONE to be a better ally
#DecolonizeDNA 16/16 END! Ahéhée'
