Biohistorical Research
ISLAT Collaborates with the Chicago Historical Society
Advances in science and technology give scholars and institutions new means of undertaking research on historical figures and historical artifacts. Techniques of bioanalysis commonly used in medicine and forensics—such as DNA testing or biochemical assays—are now being applied to answer historical questions. Recent proposals for biohistorical investigations of scientist Albert Einstein, explorer Meriwether Lewis, and presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln have generated scientific, historical, ethical, and legal controversies about the justification for the proposed research; appropriateness of the study design; destruction of fragile museum specimens; the relevance of informed consent; potential harm to living relatives; cultural respect for the dead; confidentiality of medical and genetic information; and the interpretation of study results. Yet the frequency of these investigations will undoubtedly rise in the future, given public and professional fascination with biotechnology and DNA analysis. What are the ethical and legal responsibilities of museums, park services, and other institutions with biological specimens when new technologies offer unprecedented potential to unlock the secrets of the past? Should scholars be able to interrogate an historical figure's DNA for information about traits and behaviors? How should a geneticist or biochemist respond to requests from an historian, museum, or private collector to undertake such analyses? What historical, scientific, and ethical standards are applicable when proposals for biohistorical research are evaluated?
In May 2002, with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Institute for Science, Law and Technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology (ISLAT) and the Chicago Historical Society (now called the Chicago History Museum (CHM)) were awarded an NSF grant to coordinate an interdisciplinary investigation of the ethical, legal, scientific, and historical concerns generated by the emerging field of biohistorical research to develop ethical and professional guidelines for the specialty. Prior to this project, there were no established ethical guidelines for biohistorical analysis. Often a single researcher could obtain access to a strand of hair or spot of blood from an historical figure and undertake a bioanalysis. The guidelines developed by ISLAT and CHM provide a critical tool for assessing the merits of biohistorical research proposals. The project fostered an unusual interdisciplinary partnership between bioethicists, academic specialists, scientists, museum professionals, and cultural groups.
Existing professional ethics codes provided a starting point for assessing the ethics of biohistorcal analysis but generally failed to address one significant factor that sets biohistorical analysis apart from other fields of genetic testing: the fact that biohistorical analysis inherently involves a distinct, identifiable subject and generates information about that subject, as well as about his or her living relatives. This major break highlighted the need for a new ethics code specifically suited for the field of biohistory. In creating relevant guidelines, ISLAT and CHM examined twenty-six professional codes and practice guidelines from organizations including museums, academic archaeologists, anthropologists and biologists. Through analysis of actual past biohistorical investigations, ethical irregularities regarding various issues—including informed consent, privacy, proper stewardship of sample, conflicts of interest, scientific methodology, and adherence to regulations—were identified. Based on these findings, safeguards were created in the new guidelines to address each of these issues.
Building on this research, the project participants (which included researchers from many Chicago institutions) published an article in Science and the Temple Journal of Science, Technology, and Environmental Law. Links to these publications are provided below under “Related Publications.”
Lori Andrews presented papers related to this project at various universities and a national joint meeting of the American Medical Association, American Bar Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She also delivered presentations discussing the project at the Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Connecticut Department of Public Health, National Press Foundation, University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Valparaiso University, Amherst College, Duke University, and various high schools.
Chicago-Kent College of Law hosted an event related to biohistorical analysis entitled “Wet With Blood” on November 19, 2008. The program—held in conjunction with the Chicago History Museum—was chiefly concerned with Abraham Lincoln’s blood, DNA and privacy issues related to biohistory. The program featured Andrews and CHM Chief Historian, Russell Lewis, as speakers.
Project Participants and Affiliations
- Lori Andrews (PI; Chicago-Kent College of Law)
- Nancy Buenger (Co-PI; Chicago History Museum)
- Jennifer Bridge (Chicago History Museum)
- R.E. Gaensslen (Head of the Forensic Science Program, Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois Chicago)
- David Gonen (Chicago-Kent College of Law Student)
- Amy Inlander (Undergraduate Research Assistant)
- Theodore Karamanski (Professor of History, Loyola University Chicago)
- Russell Lewis (Andrew W. Mellon Director for Collections and Research, Chicago History Museum)
- Jordan Paradise (Chicago-Kent College of Law)
- Laurie Rosenow (Illinois Institute of Technology)
- David Stoney (Director, McCrone Research Institute)
Related Publications
Lori Andrews and Jordan Paradise, “Tales from the Crypt: Scientific, Ethical, and Legal Considerations for Biohistorical Analysis of Deceased Historical Figures,” 26 Temple Journal of Science, Technology, and Environmental Law 223-299 (January 2008). (pdf)
“Secrets of the Grave,” Parade 10-13 (October 7, 2007). (pdf)
Lori Andrews, Nancy Buenger, Jennifer Bridge, Laurie Rosenow, David Stoney, R.E. Gaensslen, Theodore Karamanski, Russell Lewis, Jordan Paradise, Amy Inlander, and David Gonen, “Constructing Ethical Guidelines for Biohistory,” 304 Science 215-216 (April 9, 2004). (pdf)
Related Links
Chicago History Museum: Wet With Blood
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