Data sharing: do scientists know best?

Emma Kowal and colleagues argue against restricting access to genomic data collected from indigenous peoples (Nature 546, 474; 2017), citing our study of Aboriginal Australians as a case in point (A.-S. Malaspinas et al. Nature 538, 207–214; 2016). In fact, the collection of these samples was fully in accordance with Australia's National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Moreover, the researchers worked with the Aboriginal donors...