Constructing Ethical Guidelines for Biohistory

Abstract

Increasingly, biohistorical analysis is being used to answer questions about historic figures9 behavior, disease, cause of death, and lineage, as well as for purposes of authentication of remains or artifacts. Such investigations raise social, legal, ethical, and scientific concerns for the historic figure, living family members, affected groups, and society in general. This Policy Forum analyzes relevant considerations and proposes a framework for regulating biohistorical research through professional guidelines.