Official Journal of the Human Genome Organisation
From: The use of race, ethnicity and ancestry in human genetic research
(1) Provide a comprehensive explanation of the methods used for genetic ancestry imputations, including assumptions made, algorithms and parameters used, descriptions of population samples involved, and the limitations of inferences |
(2) Define and differentiate the concepts of race, ethnicity, and ancestry used in the context of the reported research |
(3) When empirical methods are used to assign ancestry labels, specify ‘genetic ancestry’ or ‘inferred genetic ancestry’ is being referred to, rather than simply ‘ancestry’ |
(4) Provide an acknowledgment or brief discussion of social, ethical, legal, economic etc. issues raised by the reported research, if applicable |
(5) Form a working group consisting of representatives from the spectrum of countries and cultures to engage the genetics community globally to: |
• Highlight the importance of careful and consistent reporting on, and naming and description of, human populations in genetic research |
• Address concerns and ambiguities in the implementation and reporting of genetic research in human populations |
• Revise extant guidelines and explicitly generate guidelines for the uses of ancestry and genetic ancestry |
• Gain broad endorsement of these guidelines/standards/requirements throughout the genetics community |
(6) Ensure biomedical journals consistently enforce these standards and requirements in genetic research reporting |