Arizona regents approve single policy for research with tribes

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – The state’s three public universities now have a single policy that governs research with Arizona tribes.

The Arizona Board of Regents approved the tribal consultation policy last week. It replaces the three separate policies at the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.

The policy seeks to avoid the kind of controversy that erupted when ASU scientists took blood samples from members of the Havasupai Tribe for diabetes research in the 1990s but later used the samples to study schizophrenia, inbreeding and ancient population migration.

Regent Luann Leonard, who is Hopi, says the policy respects the tribes’ ability to determine what’s best for them. It also outlines a process for tribes to resolve any concerns about university research.