Today, Russian geneticist Aleksey Vorobyov was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to smuggling DNA samples from a restricted area in Siberia. Vorobyov had worked in the region collecting genetic samples from indigenous peoples in order to study genetic mutations. In 2019, he was caught attempting to smuggle the samples out of the region, and he was subsequently arrested and charged with smuggling.

Today, a Russian court found Vorobyov guilty of the crime and sentenced him to two years of probation. This ruling comes as a surprise to many, as the court could have sentenced him to up to eight years in prison for the crime.

Vorobyov’s case has sparked conversations about the ethical implications of genetic research and the need to protect the privacy and autonomy of indigenous peoples. Despite the ruling, it is clear that much work still needs to be done to ensure that the rights of local communities are respected and protected.

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source: Phys.org