Race is a challenging topic to discuss in the United States. Attempting to simplify the concept of race, it has often tried to be explained in a scientific manner with physical characteristics and DNA being aspects heavily considered. This podcast explores the concept of race using DNA research, a drug approved by the FDA for a specific race, and analyzing how we categorize and group different races.
Listen to the full podcast and think about how discerning race as a scientifically proven concept supports or hinders the use of Critical Race Theory. What impact does approving drugs for specific racial groups have on the conversation? How does the work that DNA Print Genomics focuses on change the discussion of race in the U.S.?
Link: http://www.radiolab.org/story/91653-race/
Although genetics determines skin color, eye color, hair color, hairiness and all our physical characteristics, one physical characteristic doesn’t necessarily determine another. There’s lots of complex probability math going on. Take sickle cell as an example. Though it is more likely to occur in people with certian physical characteristics, it has nothing to do with the physical characteristics of a person’s DNA. There’s a genetic flaw that causes it that happens to be from some ancestor that was dark skinned. That’s all. Regardless of the DNA define skin color, we can isolate the gene that causes sickle cell completely separate from other genes, unless some reason the gene happens to actually be linked to some other physical characteristic as well.
It is poignant to note that it is very hard to determine how a person identifies their race based on appearance. It is also interesting to note the person who was even wrong about his own genetic make up. To a certain extent a person identifies as a specific race because they are taught to identify that way. In fact, their understanding of how others view them is also taught. This presumption shades one’s view of their experience. The presumption that someone is racist can actual make a person come to a conclusion that certain actions by that person are racist, when the actions actually have nothing to do with race, but, could have to do even with the way the person making the presumption acts because of their belief that the other person is racist.
It is sad that any medication would be approved for a group of people based on their physical genetic make up when medication either works better due to a nonphysical genetic marker or due to lifestyle choices such as diet. I can see genetics playing a role in deciding which drug to use for someone in the future. But, it will likely require an AI to determine the commonality between people as to why a specific drug helped some, but, not others. It is extremely unlikely that physical characteristics hsve anything to do with such determinations.