Living Dead in the Pacific

Colonized since the 1600s, Taiwan is largely a nation of settlers. Yet within its population of 23 million are 500,000 Aboriginal people. Over the past thirty years, genetic researchers have eagerly studied Taiwan Aborigines, leading to mass violations of the rights of their subjects and a troubling revival of racially configured research. Living Dead in the Pacific examines the Taiwanese and Western genetic research of Taiwan Aborigines and the narratives that propelled it. Genetic research has permeated both the political and popular spheres as Taiwanese nationalists and Chinese nationalists argue over the significance of migration theories and as the media proliferates genetic theories on predispositions to alcoholism. As this book demonstrates, genetics serve, on the one hand, to reinforce claims to a unique national identity and, on the other hand, to reinforce anti-Aboriginal prejudices. Increasingly, genetic research on Aborigines is being integrated into biotechnology planning, both in the country and through controversial US patent applications. Compelling and original, this book considers the impact of racism and questions of sovereignty on genetic research, detailing a history of exploitation and resistance that represents a new area of conflict facing Aboriginal people both within Taiwan and around the world.