have different frequencies in AI/AN and European-ancestry individuals, the results of candidate gene studies are largely similar in both groups. Extrapolating from these limited findings, it can be concluded that it is unlikely that the genetic backgrounds of AI/AN tribes make them more vulnerable to the development of AUD compared with European-ancestry individuals. Given that many AI/AN tribes continue to have a high prevalence of AUD accompanied by associated negative health and social consequences and there are still significant gaps in knowledge about etiology, including genetic risk and resilience factors, it is imperative that AUD genetic research progresses in AI/AN individuals and that many more tribes /sovereign nations are represented.69,70 Past difficulties and mistakes in undertaking research with tribal members have largely been recognized and understood. There is now a comprehensive guide to genetic research produced by the National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center to assist with informed decision making by individual tribal governments.65 It is now recognized that community-based participatory research is the way forward with a goal of influencing change in community health, systems, programs or policies. To this end it is encouraging that an increasing number of tribes now have their own Institutional Review Boards.
