Anthropological researchers have considerable moral and ethical standards according to which their work must be conducted in order to preserve the accuracy and posterity of the information gathered during the study and also to people or cultures they study about. These two important parts of anthropology – the research and those who are researched – can be in conflict. The American Anthropological Association's Code of Ethics presents itself as a body of guidelines for discussing these ethical and moral conflicts. This allows researchers in the field of anthropology to have a basis for understanding what decisions should be made regarding these ethical and moral conflicts and to whom such decisions should be made public. The world of anthropology is closely intertwined with research on humans and their cultures. One of the most important principles of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) Code of Ethics is found in Part III, Section A, Number 1: “Anthropological researchers have primary ethical obligations to the people, species, and materials they study and to the people they work with." (American Anthropological Association, 2009) This fundamental principle helps guide social scientists through a maze of ethical dilemmas, such as whether and how the research itself might harm or otherwise impact those with whom they are studying. Although the purpose of the research may be to gain knowledge of the plight of a particular individual or group of individuals, by extending the sharing of this knowledge the person or persons studied may attract unwanted attention. Using the Code of Ethics, the framework has been established so that the researcher is guided “to actively consult with…… half of the document……anthropological and other social sciences form the basis for forming non-biased study results to that can be referenced with respect and relied upon for their integrity. Works CitedAmerican Anthropological Association. (2009, February). Code of Ethics of the American Anthropological Association. Retrieved March 9, 2012, from the American Anthropological Association: http://www.aaanet.org/issues/policy-advocacy/Code-of-Ethics.cfmColson, E. (2006). Case 21: Ethical dilemmas and moral responsibilities. Handbook on ethical issues in anthropology. Forbes, J. (1998). Kennewick Man: A Legal Historical Analysis. Retrieved from the University of California Department of Native American Studies: http://nas.ucdavis.edu/Forbes/kennwick.htmlTo cite this work:Suit, Darla. (2012, April). The moral and ethical dilemmas of anthropology. San Leone University.