A importancia de ser uro: movimentos indígenas, políticas de identidade e pesquisa genética nos andes peruanos

the objective of this paper is to explore the interrelations between genetic research with human populations, the political strategies of indigenous movements and processes of identity formation. in particular, it will analyse the social conditions that have resulted in the collaboration between the uros, an indigenous group living on the floating islands of lake titicaca (peru), and researchers of the genographic project. the uros, whose claims to a differentiated ethnic identity were highly contested within the local context, engaged with geneticists with the aim to obtain scientific support for this identity. this was part of their political strategies for their territorial rights. as such, this case offers new insights into the incorporation of genetic research within the conceptual politics waged around ethnic identities, as well as the articulation of genetic knowledge with pre-existing registers to define such identities