Museum genomes reveal colonial legacies: How repurposing archival DNA can redress biodiversity loss and scientific colonialism
Original framing: “Sequencing genomes from museum collections could transform scientific inquiry” — Phys.org
The *trickster* here is the myth of 'neutral science'—a figure like *Anansi* who spins tales that reveal uncomfortable truths. The genome sequencing narrative, while seemingly progressive, masks the colonial booty hidden in museum basements. A trickster reading would ask: *Who benefits from framing these collections as 'scientific treasures' rather than stolen heritage?* It also exposes the irony of using extinct species' DNA to justify conservation while Indigenous peoples are still denied land rights. The absurdity lies in treating genomes as apolitical when they are deeply entangled with power.
The genome sequencing of museum collections is a double-edged scalpel: it offers unprecedented scientific insights but also risks deepening the wounds of colonialism unless radically reframed.
The current narrative, dominated by Western institutions, treats these collections as neutral resources, ignoring their origins in violence and their potential to perpetuate extraction. Indigenous knowledge systems, historical precedents like the *Humboldtian* era, and cross-cultural perspectives all reveal that genomes are not mere data but living connections—ecological, spiritual, and political. The trickster here exposes the hypocrisy of using extinct species' DNA to justify conservation while Indigenous peoples remain dispossessed. True transformation requires Indigenous-led governance, decolonial partnerships, and ethical data commons that prioritize restoration over extraction. The path forward lies in treating museum genomes not as scientific trophies, but as opportunities to redress historical injustices and co-create a future where knowledge, land, and biodiversity are restored in harmony.