Final answer:
ASU was banned from conducting research on the Havasupai reservation due to the misuse of their blood samples. This led to increased scrutiny and improvements in research ethics, particularly regarding informed consent and respect for cultural sensitivities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consequence of Arizona State University's (ASU) misuse of blood samples from the Havasupai people in 1989 was that ASU was banned from conducting research on the Havasupai reservation. This incident is a prominent example of unethical research practices where informed consent was not properly obtained or respected, leading to a breach of trust and misuse of participants' biological materials.
The Havasupai people had originally given blood samples to ASU with the understanding that the research would focus on Type 2 diabetes, which was a major health concern within their community. However, it became known that these samples were later used for other studies, including research on schizophrenia, inbreeding, and population migration, without the consent or knowledge of the Havasupai people. This misuse raised significant ethical concerns regarding informed consent and the respect for autonomy and cultural sensitivities of research subjects.
This case highlights the importance of transparency and ethical considerations in scientific research, especially when working with indigenous communities. It has led to broader discussions about the necessity for researchers to obtain clear, informed consent, respect cultural values, and give back to the communities they study. The incident with the Havasupai people and ASU has had a lasting impact on the establishment of protocols and laws to protect the rights of human subjects in research, particularly in the context of genetic and biomedical research.