Data sharing: do scientists know best?

Emma Kowal and colleagues argue against restricting access to genomic data collected from indigenous peoples (Nature 546, 474; 2017), citing our study of Aboriginal Australians as a case in point (A.-S. Malaspinas et al. Nature 538, 207–214; 2016). In fact, the collection of these samples was fully in accordance with Australia's National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Moreover, the researchers worked with the Aboriginal donors to develop the conditions for data sharing.