Subsequent reanalysis of the same data by other researchers, for other questions, in ways that the original consultation may not have anticipated, occurs in a different ethical context — one in which the communities whose ancestors provided the material may not have been meaningfully consulted about the new uses.

These questions are being actively discussed in the field of ancient DNA research and in the Indigenous communities most directly affected by it.

The development of ethical frameworks that can address the persistence and reuse of genomic data from ancient Native American individuals is ongoing, and no consensus position has emerged.

Some researchers advocate for strict limitations on the reuse of ancient Indigenous genomic data without new consultation.

Others argue that the data, once published in the scientific literature, is part of the public scientific record and should be accessible for legitimate research.