: The project was criticized for a lack of clear legal rules regarding the protection of Indigenous knowledge and heritage.
: In some cases, such as in Puerto Rico, genetic results offered tangible evidence supporting communities seeking official recognition by confirming the survival of Taíno lineages. "The Genographic Project: Traditional Knowledge...
In response to these challenges, some project leaders, like , emphasized "culturally competent" research. : The project was criticized for a lack
The Genographic Project ultimately highlighted the complex balance between the universalizing goals of Big Science and the specific, protected rights of Indigenous peoples over their own biological and cultural history . such as in Puerto Rico