Storing genes of threatened peoples

Scientists wish to set up a gene bank which would store tissues of peoples threatened with extinction. This biological repository of the planet's vanishing people will then be used to reveal how humanity colonized the globe over the past 100,000 years. There is increasing urgency since many human groups that could provide important information are now threatened.

Researchers have asked the Human Genome Organization (Hugo), which coordinates the international project for mapping all the human genes, to oversee research.