Lawsuits over Arizona tribe blood samples settled
PHOENIX (AP) - The Grand Canyon’s Havasupai Indian tribe has settled lawsuits that allege university researchers misused blood samples taken from tribal members.
The Arizona Board of Regents announced the agreement Wednesday after a legislative committee approved it Tuesday.
The cases stem from blood samples taken from tribal members for diabetes research in the 1990s. Researchers also used the blood samples for research into schizophrenia, inbreeding and ancient population migration.
The settlement includes an undisclosed payment to 41 plaintiffs and the return of blood samples to the tribe. It also includes a partnership between the tribe and Arizona State University to build a new health clinic and high school in the isolated village in a gorge off the Grand Canyon.