Members of the Havasupai Indigenous community partner with trusted geneticists to identify the reasons for high rates of diabetes among tribal members. One hundred tribal members sign consent forms to study the causes of "behavioral and medical disorders." All who sign a form believe that their blood samples are only being used to study diabetes.

Instead, researchers from Arizona State University use the genetic material to study and then publish papers on inbreeding, alcoholism, and the origin and migration of the ancestors of the Havasupai people from Asia.

As a result, Arizona State University is charged with violating civil rights, failing to secure informed consent, and causing emotional and psychological impacts. They eventually settle out of court.