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Biocoloniality, governance, and the protection of ‘genetic identities’ in Mexico and Colombia

Schwartz-Marín, E.; Restrepo, E.

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Authors

E. Schwartz-Marín

E. Restrepo



Abstract

In this article two case studies are compared, Mexico and Colombia, in which the protection of ‘genetic identities’ has generated political and legal systems designed to avoid the unlawful appropriation of biological material and/or DNA in Latin America. The very idea that genetic patrimonies belong to nation-states or ethno-racial groups – framed as genomic sovereignty or the protection of a disappearing indigenous genetic heritage – is the product of a genetically reified understanding of human diversity, which we identify as ‘biocoloniality’. By exploring the common tropes and imaginations with which biocoloniality has been articulated, we argue that governance mechanisms built around ‘genetic identities’ are ineffective in addressing the unequal power relations inherent in contemporary scientific and regulatory practice.

Citation

Schwartz-Marín, E., & Restrepo, E. (2013). Biocoloniality, governance, and the protection of ‘genetic identities’ in Mexico and Colombia. Sociology, 47(5), 993-1010. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038513494506

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 1, 2013
Deposit Date Jun 19, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Sociology
Print ISSN 0038-0385
Electronic ISSN 1469-8684
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 5
Pages 993-1010
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038513494506
Keywords Biocoloniality, Colombia, Genetic identities, Genomic sovereignty, Mexico, Race.

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