WG: Chagnon summary and resources according to Les Sponsel

I have to state here that these are the opinions of Professor Sponsel and
Ian Pitchford and not necessarily mine. It should be stated that Professor
Chagnon has undertaken, it seems, legal action against his opponents. In
case of doubt, contact colleagues Sponsel and Pitchford and Chagnon and the
other colleagues mentioned in the e-mail

Yours AT

> ----------
> Von:  splain@hawaii.edu[SMTP:splain@hawaii.edu]
> Gesendet:     Dienstag, 3. Oktober 2000 10:09
> An:   Arno.Tausch@bmsg.gv.at
> Betreff:      Fwd: Chagnon scandal summary and resources
> 
> ------------- Begin Forwarded Message -------------
> 
> Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 17:01:07 -1000
> From: Les Sponsel <sponsel@hawaii.edu>
> To: uhanth-l@hawaii.edu
> Subject: Chagnon scandal summary and resources
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I have tried to avoid circulating anything but the most important
> information.  However, for those who are not yet sufficiently sick of it
> and might still be interested, below is a useful summary and links from
> cyberspace.
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ian Pitchford" <ian.pitchford@scientist.com>
> To: <evolutionary-psychology@egroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2000 9:01 AM
> Subject: [evol-psych] (Update) Tierney, Chagnon and Neel: The story so far
> 
> 
> > Colleagues,
> >
> > This is an update of the guide to the key statements and news reports
> dealing
> > with 'Darkness in El Dorado' by Patrick Tierney. This will be the last
> of
> these
> > summaries.
> >
> > I can only hope that the bizarre events we have witnessed over the last
> ten
> > days or so will bring some lasting benefit to the Yanomamö and other
> vulnerable
> > groups.
> >
> > For now perhaps we should try to keep J. M . Barrie's advice in mind:
> >
> > 'Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own.'
> >
> > Permission is granted for redistribution of this email.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Ian Pitchford <Ian.Pitchford@scientist.com>
> > Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies
> > http://www.shef.ac.uk/~psysc/
> > School of Health and Related Research
> > University of Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
> > http://www.human-nature.com/darwin/index.html
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > MEDIA
> >
> > The Chronicle of Higher Education
> >
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > Anthropology Confronts Misconduct Allegations
> > Thursday, September 28, at noon, U.S. Eastern time
> >
> > How serious are the new allegations about misconduct by anthropologists
> who
> > studied the Yanomami, an Amazon tribe? How should anthropologists
> respond
> to
> > these allegations? How can anthropologists ensure that they do not harm
> the
> > people they study?
> >
> > This is a transcript of a live discussion on Thursday, September 28.
> >
> > Full text:
> >
> http://www.chronicle.com/colloquylive/transcripts/2000/09/20000928watkins.
> ht
> m
> >
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > The Chronicle of Higher Education picks up the story
> >
> > Scholars Fear That Alleged Misdeeds by Amazon Anthropologists Will Taint
> Entire
> > Discipline
> > September 20, 2000
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://chronicle.com/free/2000/09/2000092001n.htm
> >
> >
> > The Guardian picks up the story
> >
> > Scientist 'killed Amazon Indians to test race theory'
> > September 23, 2000
> >
> > Full text:
> >
> http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4067128,00.html
> >
> >
> > The BBC picks up the story
> > September 23, 200
> >
> > Amazon geneticist 'killed hundreds'
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_938000/938915.stm
> >
> >
> > Salon picks up the story
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > Macho anthropology
> > Did scientists start a deadly epidemic to prove that humanity is
> innately
> > violent -- or are they victims of politics?
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2000/09/28/yanomamo/index.html
> >
> >
> > The New York Times picks up the story
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > Book Seeks to Indict Anthropologists Who Studied Brazil Indians
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/28/science/28ANTH.html
> >
> >
> > Science picks up the story
> > September 29, 2000
> >
> > Misconduct Alleged in Yanomamo Studies
> >
> > Full text, pay per view:
> > http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5488/2251
> >
> >
> > ABC News picks up the story:
> > September 29, 2000
> >
> > Book: Expedition Sparked Epidemic in Yanomami Tribe
> >
> > Full text:
> >
> http://abcnews.go.com/sections/science/DailyNews/yanomami_book000929.html
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > More from Sam Katz on the Neel/Chagnon allegations
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > "Once again, I cannot comment on Neel's style, goals or objectives,
> > but the use of Edmonston B vaccine in an attempt to halt an epidemic
> > was a justifiable, proven and valid approach. In no way could it
> > initiate or exacerbate an epidemic. Continued circulation of these
> > charges is not only unwarranted, but truly egregious."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7458
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > Professor Terry Turner responds to Dr. Katz
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > Dear Dr. Katz,
> >
> > Thank you for your message concerning the Edmonston B vaccine. Now
> > that I have had a chance to research the matter myself, I am in
> > complete agreement with you.
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7470
> >
> > _____
> >
> > Napoleon A. Chagnon's website:
> >
> > Ancillary material:
> >
> > Chagnon's letter to James V. Neel and Marcel Roche sent 12/2/96
> >
> > The curious exception Susan Lindee mentioned about Jim Neel's precaution
> to pay
> > special attention to his 1968 field notes on the measles epidemic is
> probably
> > his reaction to my letter below, and he wisely viewed it as an
> "insurance
> > policy" for his family, friends, and professional associates.
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.anth.ucsb.edu/chagnon2.html
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > Peter Biella
> > Department of Anthropology
> > San Francisco State University
> > September 19,  2000
> >
> > "Many people have asked me about the recent email-borne
> > Chagnon-Asch scandal, concerning measles, concubines and faking data in
> > the Yanomamo films.  I want to send out a preliminary response.  I
> > intend to publish a more complete version of these arguments -
> > coauthored with Gary Seaman  - in Anthropology News, the
> > AAA's newsletter.  I can only speak about the Ax Fight film - having
> > studied it and documents concerning its history for several years.  The
> > other aspects of the email scandal do not concern Asch or The Ax Fight."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7419
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > University of Michigan statement re Chagnon and Neel
> > September 27, 2000
> >
> > "We believe that Mr. Tierney has not consulted important original source
> > material that was readily available for review. Analysis of that
> material
> and
> > other material from persons familiar with the expeditions, the measles
> > outbreak and the measles vaccine refutes the allegations."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.umich.edu/~urel/darkness.html
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > Randolph Nesse, University of Michigan
> > September 28, 2000
> >
> > "You will be interested in this message from the University of Michigan
> > Provost, Nancy Cantor, regarding the Neel/Chagnon charges. She invited
> us
> to
> > share it will colleagues. The associated web address provides more
> detailed
> > information. We humans find it so difficult to be objective.  I am proud
> to
> > be a part of a University that quickly gets down to the hard work of
> finding
> > and sifting the facts to figure out what is true.  If the book itself
> > presents solid evidence for misbehavior, I am confident that too will be
> > presented unflinchingly."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7464
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > Dr. Peter Aaby on the surprising benefits of measles immunisation
> > September 29, 2000
> >
> > Measles immunisation appears to have substantial health benefits
> > above and beyond protection from measles.  In this article, Dr. Peter
> > Aaby is interviewed on the topic by Dr Norman Swan:
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7471
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > Measles expert on the Neel/Chagnon allegations
> >
> > Dr. Samuel Katz, co-developer of the measles vaccine:
> > September 24, 2000
> >
> > "In summary measles vaccine viruses (Edmonston B, Moraten, Edmonston
> Zagreb,
> > and any other descendents of Edmonston) have never been shown to be
> > transmissible from a vaccine recipient to a susceptible contact. Except
> for the
> > rare instances noted above they have not been responsible for deaths
> despite
> > the administration of hundreds of millions of doses throughout the
> world."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7341
> >
> >
> > _______
> >
> >
> > Statement from Napoleon A. Chagnon
> > September 22, 2000
> >
> > "The charges can not be sustained by widely known and easily found
> empirical
> > evidence in the scientific anthropological and biomedical journals.  For
> > example, there is an abundance of easily located biomedical research on
> the
> > effects of the Edmonston B vaccine that indicates several things that
> shoot
> > down Tierney's argument and the claims in the document being widely
> circulated
> > by anthropologists Terence Turner and Leslie Sponsel."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7309
> >
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > Dr. Les Sponsel, Ph.D.
> > Professor
> > Former Chair, AAA Committee for Human Rights (1992-96)
> > September 22, 2000
> >
> > "Dr. Turner, myself, and a few other individuals actually read a
> > pre-publication copy of Patrick Tierney's book --- unlike almost
> everyone
> > gossiping about it in cyberspace and now the media.  As a result of our
> careful
> > reading of the book for the editor, Dr. Turner and I felt a
> professional,
> > ethical, and moral obligation to alert top AAA officials to read the
> book
> ASAP,
> > judge for themselves, and act accordingly when the
> > inevitable inquiries would soon emerge in the media, profession, and
> beyond."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7338
> >
> >
> > _______
> >
> >
> > Neel's 1968 fieldnotes
> >
> > Susan Lindee (Department of the History and Sociology of Science),
> University
> > of Pennsylvania:
> > September 21, 2000
> >
> > "Today I had the opportunity to read James Neel's entire field notes for
> the
> > 1968 work in Venezuela.  I also read archival materials relating to his
> > consultations with the Centers for Disease Control in late 1967 in
> preparation
> > for the program in measles immunization he and his colleagues planned to
> > undertake.  And I read other correspondence in his papers,  including
> > correspondence with missionaries, Venezuelan authorities,  Chagnon, and
> others.
> > The picture that emerges in these documents is at some variance with
> that
> > presented in a widely circulated email describing the arguments in a new
> book
> > by Patrick Tierney."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7276
> >
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > Raymond Hames
> > Anthropology Department
> > University of Nebraska
> > September 24, 2000
> >
> > "Chagnon's work on the relationship between combat killing and
> reproductive
> > success is simply part of the larger research by behavioral ecologists
> on
> the
> > relationship between cultural success and fitness. It is merely one of
> the
> > TWENTY-ODD studies done that show that those who are successful
> culturally
> tend
> > to have higher than average reproductive success. It is important to
> realize
> > that what constitutes cultural success varies from society to society.
> For
> > example, Kim Hill and associates show for the Ache that good hunters
> have
> > higher RS than poor hunters and Borgehoff Mulder shows that Kipsigis who
> have
> > large herds have higher RS than those who have small herds."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7333
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > The CDC and the Edmonston vaccine
> >
> > "What at first appeared to be a minor oversight in the wording of an
> informed
> > consent form has exploded into claims of racial experimentation,
> resulting
> in
> > significant changes in how CDC research programs are carried out".
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7316
> >
> >
> > _______
> >
> >
> > John Patton
> > Anthropology
> > Washington State University
> > September 21, 2000
> >
> > "The unokai correlation has been scrutinized carefully and no data has
> been
> > presented that has undermined its credibility.  The arguments against it
> have
> > been based on assertion, and not evidence.  The relationship between age
> and
> > reproductive success has been examined.  The data reported in Science
> was
> > broken down into five year age groups and the correlation between being
> an
> > unokai and number of children is significant (p < .05) in all age groups
> not
> > just the older age groups.  The relationship with number of wives was
> > significant in all but one age group (31-40 years of age, p = .0672).
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7251
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > Darkness in El Dorado
> > From the Amazon.com website:
> >
> > Leslie Sponsel, University of Hawaii
> >
> > "In many respects, the most important book ever written about the
> Yanomami. . .
> > . It candidly and systematically exposes with ample documentation the
> data,
> > interpretations, and ethics of the anthropologists who constructed and
> > publicized the fierce image of the Yanomami. . . . It is no exaggeration
> to say
> > that this is by far the ugliest affair in the entire history of
> anthropology.
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7182
> > W. W. Norton
> > http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring00/04922.htm
> >
> > _____
> >
> >
> > American Anthropological Association Statement on Allegations made in
> the
> Book
> > Darkness in El Dorado
> > September 20, 2000
> >
> > "This book presents the views, conclusions and opinions of its author.
> It
> is
> > extremely important, however, that other individuals featured in the
> book
> be
> > afforded the opportunity to express their own views on its contents.
> Until
> > there is a full and impartial review and discussion of the issues raised
> in the
> > book, it would be unfair to express a judgement about the specific
> allegations
> > against individuals that are contained in it. The Association is
> anticipating
> > conducting an open forum during our Annual Meeting to provide an
> opportunity
> > for our members to review and discuss the issues and allegations raised
> in
> the
> > book."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.ameranthassn.org/press/eldorado.htm
> >
> >
> > ____
> >
> >
> > William E. Davis III, Executive Director
> > American Anthropological Association
> > September 20, 2000
> >
> > "The AAA is extremely concerned about the implications of these
> allegations for
> > the discipline. We are presently drafting a public statement on the
> issue.
> > President Louise Lamphere will serve as the organization's spokesperson
> on
> the
> > matter, and will respond to all questions by reporters on the
> Association's
> > position.... You should also be aware that Barbara Rose Johnston, Chair
> of
> the
> > AAA Human Rights Committee, is attempting to organize a Human Rights
> Committee
> > Open Forum at the Annual Meeting in San Francisco to discuss the
> disciplinary
> > implications of allegations contained in the forthcoming book. We will
> give you
> > additional details on this as things occur."
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7202
> >
> >
> > _______
> >
> >
> > Yanomamö experimentation
> > September 19, 2000
> >
> > Timothy Hall, UC San Diego, notifies the list of the impending
> controversy:
> >
> > Full text:
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7180
> >
> >
> > ______
> >
> >
> > An archived newspaper article from January 2000:
> >
> > Los Angeles Times (Sunday, January 30, 2000) - Napoleon Chagnon's War of
> > Discovery
> >
> > Terry Turner (co-author of the letter alerting the AAA to Tierney's
> book)
> is
> > quoted in this article:
> >
> > Turner says he became a vocal critic when he began investigating the
> slaughter
> > in 1993 of more than a dozen Yanomamo by Brazilian gold miners. As he
> saw
> it,
> > the Indians had been jeopardized by Chagnon's depiction of them as
> fierce
> > warriors, which led the miners to attack violently and made the larger
> public
> > unsympathetic. "His politics are bad," Turner says. "His ideas are used
> by
> > miners and politicians, especially in Brazil, to argue for a breakup of
> > Yanomamo land." Worse, Turner says, is Chagnon's assertion "that the
> males
> who
> > are dominant get more women, and therefore their genes get passed on
> more.
> This
> > is very close to the Nazi idea that there's a leadership gene that the
> dominant
> > people pass on and this is the natural order."
> >
> > Full text
> > http://cogweb.english.ucsb.edu/Abstracts/Chagnon_00.html
> >
> >
> > ____
> >
> >
> > Websites - further information
> >
> > Napoleon A. Chagnon
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7242
> > Chagnon archive on the allegations
> > http://www.anth.ucsb.edu/chagnon.html
> > James V. Neel
> > http://www.egroups.com/message/evolutionary-psychology/7318
> > Terry Turner
> > http://www.cornell.edu/
> > Leslie Sponsel
> > http://www2.soc.hawaii.edu/anth/faculty/sponsel/sponsel.htm
> > Susan Lindee
> > http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/hss/faculty/fc_lindee.htm
> >
> >
> > Ian Pitchford <Ian.Pitchford@scientist.com>
> > Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies
> > http://www.shef.ac.uk/~psysc/
> > School of Health and Related Research
> > University of Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
> > http://www.human-nature.com/darwin/index.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To subscribe/unsubscribe/select DIGEST go to:
> > http://www.egroups.com/group/evolutionary-psychology
> > Cognition, Evolution, and Behavior by Sara J. Shettleworth
> > http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/019511048X/humannaturecom/
> > Evolutionary Psychology Archive: 7000+ Items
> > http://www.egroups.com/messages/evolutionary-psychology
> >
> 
> 
> 
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>