Who gets access and benefits from our genomes? Keolu Fox, an indigenous geneticist, advocates for more fair and transparent rules on how companies and scientists use the DNA of others.
Born in Hawaii, Keolu Fox moved a lot. At the University of Maryland, he discovered the field of genetics. During a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, Fox became more aware of the health disparities that can be perpetuated by biased scientific research. Both in his research and through outreach, Fox is trying to work towards a model of genomics where all benefit equally — where partnerships between research institutions and indigenous or underrepresented minorities serve the needs of the communities whose genetic data leads to great discoveries.
