Paper short abstract:

This paper deals with the fraught relation between an adoptee looking for their roots, their family of origin, predatory TV programme producers, and the anthropologist.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines a case of a difficult interaction between a transnational adoptee looking for their roots in their native country, the producers of a TV programme who sponsored a return trip to the adoptee's motherland in order to film them throughout the trip, and the anthropologist, who was - unwillingly - involved in the events.

What motivates vulnerable minorities to get involved in pursuits that should facilitate self advancement, but end up producing undesirable circumstances that seriously endanger their dear ones? Is co-production of knowledge truly possible without one of the parties involved being abused? This paper will try to consider and analyse these controversial issues.