Employing Common Morality to Address Ethical Issues in Genetics Research With Indigenous People: The Ọmọlúàbí Ideology.

Genetics research has transformed our understanding of human diversity, providing insights into human evolution, migration, and health. Despite its contributions, many ethical challenges remain unresolved, particularly in studies involving Indigenous or non-Western populations. Existing ethical frameworks rooted in Principlism-autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice-often fail to address issues like data ownership, informed consent, and community engagement. Furthermore, frameworks designed to address some of these limitations, such as the FAIR and CARE principles, can emphasize autonomy and universal principles over local norms that are specific to a group's cultural and communal values and diversity. We propose integrating cultural-specific common moralities alongside existing frameworks for genetics research with Indigenous peoples. As an example, we highlight the Ọmọlúàbí ideology of the Yoruba people, which offers a group-centered approach rooted in respect, humility, integrity, and communal responsibility. Ọmọlúàbí emphasizes co-creation and collaboration between researchers and communities, ensuring research aligns with local moral landscapes and community priorities. By recognizing Indigenous cultural and moral perspectives, researchers can use Ọmọlúàbí to foster trust, inclusivity, and ethical rigor, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model. This approach can guide all stages of genetics research-from project development and data collection to interpretation and dissemination-embedding local cultural values alongside global guidelines. It also underscores building relationships through participant observation and respecting community-specific traditions and authority structures. Adopting a culturally sensitive framework like Ọmọlúàbí offers a path toward genetics research that is both respectful and equitable, bridging the divide between scientific progress and the preservation of Indigenous identities.