ABSTRACT
Since its founding in Belém, Brazil, in 1988, the ISE has worked to develop principles for collaborative and equitable research relationships with indigenous peoples and local communities. The process by which this group has addressed issues raised by ethnobiological research is a valuable example of how younger societies can – in a directed and targeted fashion – develop codes of ethics and standards for research best practice in the field. The original draft documents were developed primarily as the basis for dialogue and as a tool for awarenessraising, not only of members but also of the larger public. The intention was not to exert control over people’s behaviour, but to present points for discussion and facilitate a process through which the community of researchers could agree on the underlying principles upon which their work should be based. After many years of dialogue, a code of ethics was ratified only in 1998 were and research guidelines drafted.
