Arizona tribe settles suits challenging use of blood samples

The Havasupai contended ASU conducted the additional research without permission, invading tribal members’ privacy, betraying the tribe’s trust, and misrepresenting what researchers had done with blood samples and subsequent research results.

The settlement includes a $700,000 payment to the 41 plaintiffs, and the university has agreed to help the tribe seek third-party funding to build a new health clinic and high school in the isolated village.

ASU also has agreed to give the tribe the more than 200 blood samples, which members say will be buried in a sacred ceremony, some with the remains of the people who gave the blood.

“Their spirits will no longer be locked in a cooler,’’ said Carletta Tilousi, the lead plaintiff in the case and a tribal councilwoman. “We are going to take them back down to Supai Canyon so they can rest in peace.’’

Tilousi, most of her family members, and other tribal members gave their blood to scientists in the 1990s thinking it would be used to help cure diabetes.

The research was requested by Tilousi’s aunt, who had diabetes and died last year. The research concluded that diabetes among the tribe was not related to genetics.

Tribal officials complained in 2003 after learning of the additional research and filed lawsuits after they weren’t satisfied when they met with university officials.

Ernest Calderon, president of the Arizona Board of Regents, said the board “has long wanted to remedy the wrong that was done.’’ Tilousi said she hoped the settlement would make a statement on behalf of all indigenous people that their cultures should be respected, not analyzed by scientists.