Using CRISPR to Gene-Edit Cell Lines to Model Indigeneity: Unpacking the Genomic-Racial Tensions of Emerging Organoid Research

Organoids are three-dimensional cell culture models that have emerged as a tool for researchers investigating disease modeling, drug discovery, and organ development. However, absent cell lines from Indigenous peoples–who have expressed cultural concerns related to the extraction of biospecimen materials from their bodies–researchers are looking to CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing approaches to “diversify” their in vitro experimental models in the pursuit of “inclusion”. Specifically, some researchers are introducing gene variants that are highly prevalent in Indigenous populations into cell lines procured from non-Indigenous persons to replicate artificially a biological state meant to represent Indigenous peoples genomic background. Notwithstanding persistent issues related to the categorization of race, eugenics, and representation in synthetic biology research, Indigeneity is not a biological construct. In fact, the literal artificial construction of Indigeneity and race can further lead to false assumptions of Indigenous populations and the bypassing of Indigenous data sovereignty and consent. Extraction of cell lines from Indigenous populations as well as the ability to reproduce, modify and codify cell lines can represent a new form of control and exploitation of Indigenous genomic bodily autonomy and consent. Hence, the reiteration of the importance of Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) onto the emerging science of organoid research will be important to guide researchers and communities from repeating past colonial harms of biomedical research. We must resolve colonial articulations of Indigeneity and genomic racial identity if we are to ensure that Indigenous peoples rights and representation are ethically and equitably reflected into this space of diversity research.