Estudios de Antropología Biológica

Localized hypoplasia of the primary canine. Case studies in children under five years of age from Monte Albán during the Classic Period (200-700/750 bC)

Miriam Angélica Camacho Martínez — 2024-12-20

The main objective of this research was to identify enamel defects in deciduous dentition and its possible etiology in children under five years old, buried in the Monte Albán housing units during the Classic Period (200-700/750 aD). A macroscopic observation of the deciduous teeth was carried out, localized hypoplasia of the decidual canine was identified, and its degree was determined according to the methodology of Lukacs et al. (2001a). The number of burials of children under five years of age analyzed was 70; not all of them preserved the canines, only 34 children had at least one primary canine for evaluation. The lesion was identified in seven children (20 %). Regarding the canines, 8 out of 91 had the defect, which represents 8.7 %. The probable causes of the lesion were vitamin A deficiency and a low-fat diet in children. The fact that most of the population was fed exclusively on corn had repercussions on pregnant women and those with newborns. This does not mean that the entire population of Monte Albán had nutritional deficiencies; only some developed the enamel defect, which implies an individual susceptibility to the condition.

Bachelor's Thesis Summary: Analysis of the maternal lineage of inhabitants of Tabuco during the Postclassic Period

Carlos Alberto Corachan Espinoza — 2024-12-20

This bachelor's thesis represents progress in understanding genetic diversity and population relationships in the Huasteca Veracruzana region, through the analysis of human remains from the archaeological site of Tabuco. Using ancient DNA analysis techniques, the genetic structure of ancient populations has been investigated, providing new insights into Tabuco. The results reveal data on the probable Mayan origins of Tabuco and suggest a genetic relationship between this site and other Mayan groups in the region. Limitations in the interpretation of findings are also noted, emphasizing the need for future research.

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Olimpia Palacios-Ríos — 2024-12-20

The objective of this text is to offer a reflection that is intended to be used as an invitation so that, from the discipline of physical anthropology in Mexico, we generate a conceptual exercise, from which we can reach consensus to stop using the words "bone remains" ", "collections", or "osteotheques" and let us begin to use other concepts more in line with our current reality, where a good part of our work as anthropologists and, more specifically as physical anthropologists, has focused on the task of contributing to improve the urgent situation generated by the disappearance and identification of people in Mexico.

Ethics in the practice of forensic anthropology in Mexico

José Ricardo Ruiz Cazares — 2024-12-20

The practice of forensic anthropology in Mexico has had continuous development for more than a decade. Currently, groups made up of relatives of victims of missing persons have promoted initiatives that address the problem of searching for people, investigation, body identification processes from government institutions and non-governmental organizations. The work presented is the result of an analysis that consisted of a review of the concepts related to ethical exercise applied to the practice of forensic anthropology in Mexico, from a comparative approach the documents that regulate forensic activities in Mexico are contrasted. different countries and our country with anthropological practice within the work of forensic anthropology. Based on the above, a proposal for a code of ethics is made that aims to contribute to the professional work of forensic anthropology in Mexico.

Bioethical Implications in the Study of Ossuaries in Caves Around Lake Metzabok. A Look from Ontological Archaeology

Josuhé Lozada Toledo — 2024-12-20

This work documents the conceptions of the Lacandon Maya related with caches of human bones found in caves around Lake Metzabok. The outcomes of academic projects analyzing bioanthropological data is contrasted with the local interpretations given by the Lacandon to explain their past and the origin of human remains. According to Lacandon ontology, the ossuaries found in caves are considered sacred and alive spaces, where the relationship between human and non-human persons takes place. The analysis of these sanctuaries, from an ontological archaeology perspective, allows us to reflect on the importance of pairing the academic work with the study of local understanding.

“Serve others, not serve oneself” When bioanthropology does not exploit and promote autonomy

Alizé Lacoste Jeanson — 2024-12-20

Bioanthropology is a scientific field which knowledge is based on the study of living and deceased humans. It produces a discourse on reality conditioned by the social and cultural circumstances from which it is produced. Its origin and context of development has been the legitimation of politics of domination through looting, killing and moral judgement of targeted human populations. In order to disjoint from this legacy and to respond to the obligation of social benefit implied by any scientific field financed by the people through taxes, it is paramount to consider ways in which bioanthropology could contribute to the self-determination of all humans and not to increase social asymmetries. To recognize the contribution of the people who participate in scientific investigations –only those which do not imply risks of physical or moral harm– through remuneration can constitute a step forward, although minimal. This paper offers arguments to provide remuneration an ethical structure without underestimating its limitations. Those arguments are inscribed into a larger movement that aims to redefine the scientific commitment –a movement which Participatory Action Research takes a large part in Latin America since the seventies. Such commitment tends to redistribute social and material benefits of scientific investigation through the production of a dialogue between researchers and researchees.

The vulnerability of the subject by technoscience: a bioethical approach from anthropology

Pedro Antonio García Avendaño — 2024-12-20

The dialogue between technology, the human body and bioethics is increasingly relevant in contemporary society, where the vulnerability of sportsmen to technoscience is a topic of growing interest in the social sciences, humanities and legal sciences. This essay examines, from anthropology, the impact of transhumanism on the body of “Homo sportivus”, which seeks to improve human capabilities by overcoming biological limits with technology. This is reflected in the constant search for athletic optimization through advanced technologies. It is vital to reflect on the bioethical limits of these modifications in the subject's body, considering dilemmas such as equity, integrity and dignity of the athlete. Although these advances offer opportunities, they also raise bioethical questions about autonomy and manipulation of human nature, making their transversal integration in academic and professional training crucial, promoting reflective debates to build more sustainable and humane societies.

Keywords: sportsman-bioethics-technology-transhumanism-anthropology.

Bioethics and artificial intelligence: Dilemmas in the management of biometric data in the field of physical anthropology

Yaelinne Sieg Castro Galvan — 2024-12-20

Digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), has deeply permeated contemporary culture, with applications extending to agriculture, telecommunications, government services, medicine, and daily use of social networks. While its rapid evolution has enhanced the efficiency of countless activities, it has also introduced significant challenges in safeguarding the right to privacy. Large-scale data collection for digitalization and ai training often risks being subjected to extensive processing without the fully informed consent of data owners.

By addressing issues of privacy, security, and reliability through the lens of bioethics, this study examines the role of Physical Anthropology in understanding a new paradigmatic dimension within ai systems, from their research and development to deployment. Special emphasis is placed on drafting privacy notices and informed consent documents for the management, use, and processing of biometric data, which hold potential for ai training. Furthermore, this work reflects on the measurability and intangibility of the human body in this context.

Vanessa Campanacho and Francisca Alves Cardoso, editors. Coming of Age: Ethics and Biological Anthropology in the 21st century. Archeopress, 2024

Ana Beatriz Serrano Zamago — 2024-12-20

The book Coming of Age: Ethics and Biological Anthropology in the 21st Century invites us to think of biological anthropology as a discipline that is coming of age hand in hand with ethics. The text aims to bring together several countries and continents, as well as young and experienced researchers with an inclusive perspective. Within the content, we can find works from Finland, the United States of America, Spain, Brazil, Italy and Portugal. The major themes addressed in the text revolve around the handling, curation and exhibition of human bone remains; the ethical problems that arise with the digitalization of these; the use of aDNA in contexts of violence; and questions of professional ethics. From the lines drawn by each of the chapters through their reflection and recommendations, we can outline a humanistic ethics that the editors call us to strengthen for biological anthropology.

Presentation

Ana Julia Aguirre Samudio — 2024-12-20

Presentación

Bioethics and biological anthropology: the need for an epistemology for a human science

Arodi Farrera — 2024-12-20

La investigación y práctica de la antropología biológica desempeñan un papel crucial en el entendimiento de las poblaciones humanas y su diversidad biocultural. En este contexto, es fundamental fomentar discusiones y reflexionar sobre la forma más apropiada de conducirnos en nuestra práctica profesional, con el objetivo de garantizar un trato digno y respetuoso hacia las personas, animales no humanos y material con los que nos relacionamos en el ejercicio de nuestra labor científica. La antropología es una de esas ciencias que aspiran a sistematizar la subjetividad para generar un medio de demostración “objetiva”. Es por eso que su fuente de trabajo es sumamente íntima, ya sea el cuerpo humano, el pensamiento privado, la conducta, la memoria oral, etcétera. Por lo mismo, sus objetivos son fundamentales para definirnos como comunidad humana y para relacionarnos, incluso con los muertos, a través del reconocimiento de la diversidad y del entendimiento del otro.