Conducting research in Indonesia and using the fruits of that
research overseas, tends to inflame nationalism. Repeated examples
exist of how foreigners have stolen bio-resources and then
commercialised them overseas with little local benefit conferred.
The country is struggling to both encourage research and also
restrict foreign access.
In 2018, the University of Copenhagen's Centre for
GeoGenetics paper explained how Indonesia's Bajau community
(aka. the Sea Nomads) can free-dive exceptionally well due to
enlarged spleens that store oxygenated blood during free-diving.
Allegations arose that the researchers had failed to obtain
government approvals, but still took DNA samples abroad without
permits. Another allegation was that the single Indonesian
researcher who participated, had no subject matter expertise and
was mainly used for travel arrangements. The University of
Copenhagen's Centre for GeoGenetics asserts it had all the
necessary government permits.
