DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which codes for life, is made of nucleotides that can essentially be considered building blocks. The four types of building blocks, adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) are strung together to create a long “strand” of information that pairs with another such strand, creating the oft mentioned double helix. (Each nucleotide on one strand pairs with a nucleotide on the other strand, creating a long series of nucleotide pairs that serves as the genetic code.) This structure is then decoded to create the necessary molecules that can form cells and entire organisms. While many opinions exist regarding the byproduct of decoding DNA (life), a little understanding can go a long way in exposing the flimsy foundation of certain societal constructs. Perhaps the flimsiest of such constructs is the concept of race. Here are a couple key points about DNA and race.
The Similarities
In the case of humans, the entire genetic code ends up consisting of approximately 3 billion nucleotide pairs. It is estimated that on average, variation occurs 1 in every 1000 nucleotide pairs, accounting for 0.1% of the code. In other words, all humans can be said to be 99.9% similar. While certain nuances such as copy number variation can push this figure slightly downward, the basic concept is left unchanged.
Our day-to-day conversations tend to overestimate the differences between humans, whether they pertain to skin pigmentation, culture, linguistics, personality, etc. While such differences can be enriching, misinterpretation of their importance can be outright dangerous and clearly not based in any sort of mathematical logic.
The Differences
Some might point out that variation in only 0.1% of the code still amounts to the non-negligible number of 3 million nucleotide pairs. Fair point. However, variation between members of the same societally constructed race is often greater than variation between races.
In other words, while understanding genetic variation can be informative, trying to apply such variation to previously created categories of humans is a lost cause. Or at least it should be.
For those so inclined, referencing the above can provide a structured framework to guide our daily discourse. This framework, if built appropriately, will be heavy on DNA and devoid of race.
4 Responses
A wonderful and informative post!
why are certain races seem to be more prone for certain diseases or talents or may be not talents?
I would move away from the word “race” as it’s an invalid social construct. Some communities may be more likely to have certain diseases based on mating within the community and the resultant overrepresentation of the gene or genes that cause that disease. Also, non-genetic factors like shared dietary habits, exercise habits, etc. could clearly contribute. The same exact concept could be applied to “talents.”
thanks