Thousands of unauthorized blood samples were taken by US scientists from an indigenous group, known for a unique genetic profile and disease immunity, Ecuador charged Monday.

Samples "were also taken from some people on more than one occasion," he said, revealing new details of a government investigation, on state television ECTV.
In the initial report two years ago, the Huaorani, whose language is not clearly linked to those of local Quechua-speaking indigenous peoples, said some Americans duped them between 1990 and 1991.
The Huaorani said they were told the blood samples were for medical tests for them, but the results never came.
When the allegations emerged in 2012, the US Embassy said it was not aware of the case. On Monday, as new details emerged, a US embassy spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
One of the scientists is believed to be a US doctor working with Texas-based Maxus Energy; the samples were believed to have been sold by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research to Harvard University Medical School, the government ombudsman's office said in 2012.
Advertisements
Since 1994, seven cell cultures and 36 blood samples were distributed to eight countries, it charged at the time.
Advertisements
Correa said the blood was being used in research because the indigenous group targeted is very isolated, and "immune to some illnesses."
That, despite the fact Ecuador's constitution bans the use of genetic material and scientific research in violation of human rights.
The president, a leftist economist by training, said there was "no US federal legal grounds to sue Coriell, Maxus or (Harvard)" but that he would look for other litigation options.
The United States and Ecuador have strained diplomatic ties.
Source-AFP