Yanomami

[mexika]

In 1968, scientists of the USA, under the leadership of the genetic investigator James Neel, started a measles epidemic (Edmonston B Vaccine) which killed thousand of indigenous from the Yanomami tribe south of Venezuela. The only indicator that the mission existed in those years are the pattern of health in the tribe; indicating how much illness and mortality radically changed during that decade. There are also accusations against the controversial anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon of manipulating information to prove his thesis of the violent nature of this indigenous group.
Many stories have been told about the violent nature of the Yanomamis, by some institutions, researchers and even the local authorities; in order to prove their theories, displace them from their land, or for any other financial motivations they may have, since the Yanomamis of Venezuela live in a territory rich in mineral materials.
These stories have, however, greatly affected the dignity and survival of this tribe. For this reason,n I want to focus on their attempt at survival and dignity, even when half of the population was almost wiped out from the events that took place in 1968.
The Yanomamis situation is not a unique one, medical trials, experimentation and malpractice continue to occur throughout history. As a contemporary society, we need to understand and be aware of what has happened to societies, tribes and communities without knowledge, education, financial resources or power when these medical trials are taking place. Since many of these people do not have the power to get their stories out or heard, this is the only way our contemporary society can stop these horrible abuses.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU5Pc5mnQy4