Yanomami

In 1968, scientists of the USA, under the leadership of the genetic investigator James Neel, started a measles epidemic (Edmonston B Vaccine) which killed thousand of indigenous from the Yanomami tribe south of Venezuela. The only indicator that the mission existed in those years are the pattern of health in the tribe; indicating how much illness and mortality radically changed during that decade. There are also accusations against the controversial anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon of manipulating information to prove his thesis of the violent nature of this indigenous group.
Many stories have been told about the violent nature of the Yanomamis, by some institutions, researchers and even the local authorities; in order to prove their theories, displace them from their land, or for any other financial motivations they may have, since the Yanomamis of Venezuela live in a territory rich in mineral materials.
These stories have, however, greatly affected the dignity and survival of this tribe. For this reason,n I want to focus on their attempt at survival and dignity, even when half of the population was almost wiped out from the events that took place in 1968.
The Yanomamis situation is not a unique one, medical trials, experimentation and malpractice continue to occur throughout history. As a contemporary society, we need to understand and be aware of what has happened to societies, tribes and communities without knowledge, education, financial resources or power when these medical trials are taking place. Since many of these people do not have the power to get their stories out or heard, this is the only way our contemporary society can stop these horrible abuses.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Video
• installation
• conceptual art
• sculpture
• post modern art
• social
• political
• cultural
• tribal

[vaytw]

I recommend reading Steven Pinker's "The Blank Slate" - he gets into these allegations regarding measles a bit. There's PLENTY of dis-confirming evidence on the web, as well.

[nichmars]

Perhaps you know something that these "idiots" don't; you sure as shit didn't learn it from this video though. What these people are saying is they'd like a little more context. Anyone can make a film wherein they say anything they like without substanciating it- that's youtube, but if we want to understand these people and their position(and I do want to believe them), we need credentials of some sort from the speakers.The claims they are making are plausible, sure, but WHO the fuck are they?

[nichmars]

$o who should be doing that?

[lovemysamurai]

who are these people? what is their credibility? This is a really uneducated clip of film footage...I can't even watch it to the end.

[chinpoz]

Wow this video is bull. Don't believe everything you hear people. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary EVIDENCE.

[muchachaverdeygris]

oh dang, the truth is out

[topologyrob]

This shows what damage irresponsible writing can do - now there is an urban legend out there about evil scientists (namely Neel and Chagnon) thanks to Tierney's totally discredited "Darkness in El Dorado".

[Chriscjs]

you guys should read "Spirit of the Rainforest" about the yanomami people from the view of one of there shamas

[hipgnosisvx]

Perhaps mouth people are good science and good journalism nowadays.

[M0rticon]

Thanks javier for posting this important information. Hopefully idiots like yorick,melmo, & astrix will continue to get vaccinated. The world needs less idiots.