Last week’s news about the isolated Brazilian tribe’s members aiming their bows and arrows at a plane managed to draw some attention on the issue.

Apparently, there are several other such groups in the Amazon, each with its own members, habits and areas. Some experts claim that these groups are not at all unaware of the outside world but voluntarily choose not to be part of it in their quest to avoid the disease and violence that usually come with these contacts.

So far, governments have tried to shelter the tribes from all outside influences, but it seems that this could become a much greater challenge as the recently approved project for the new 711-mile Trans-Oceanic Highway linking the Amazon river ports of Brazil to the Pacific ones of Peru might expose the indigenous people to a much too powerful dose of the XXIst century.

Each of these cultures has a certain autonomy and distinctiveness, with its own community rules and survival methods passed on for thousands of years. Even though some consider it mandatory to assist them with some of today’s technological and medical findings, there is also a very strong possibility that they might not need any help and would be much better off without any sort of outside intervention.

John Hemming, celebrated expert on Brazilian peoples and author of many books, was quoted by The Independent saying: "The bad news is that the Chinese have persuaded Brazil and Peru to cut a road through this region, and it's blazing ahead. In theory, it should not affect these peoples, and it won't go slap through their land. But when it's built, the settlers will come pouring in."

The related dangers involve the numerous side roads that will be built for easier access and exit, the illegal loggers and mineral prospectors, who will gain a much easier access to the resources thanks to the highway and also, the severe disease risk. The risk consists in any sort of virus that could reach the indigenous people, who even though present an excellent physical form, are totally exposed to any sort of illness, even the most common cold. Scientists claim that if one tribe member gets sick, the whole tribe is in danger and also that a direct medical care intervention could permanently ruin the already precarious balance between the two worlds.

Efforts will surely be made in order to find the best solution for the situation, as the Brazilian population is in favor of protecting these tribes and their life-style. Mr. Hemming explained that a recent poll reached the conclusion that more than two-thirds of the Brazilian population believe that the indigenous people, with their less than half of one percent on the demographic charts, have the right to their scattered but inhabited 11 percent of Brazil’s land.

But looking at the situation from a different angle, some consider that it would be for the best if the indigenous people’s first encounter with today’s civilization would be made with a special designated group of experts, prepared to a certain degree in handling such situations, rather than finding themselves face to face with the highway company’s personnel.