Racial Differences

In terms of genetics, technology has advanced far enough to map out the human genome. As a population, we have found out that there are no ethnic markers that differentiate us from one another, with genetic variation sometimes being greater between two individuals of the same race than two individuals of different races. Even with the knowledge that the human genome insists the lack of a biological race, the persistence of the basal human need to categorize humans into ethnic categories begs the question as to why race still exists. To answer this question, I find it important to understand the basis for racial differences on an anthropological and genetic level and how race began to be a social construct. In the field of genetics, the human …show more content…
While temporary adaptations exist to acclimatize individuals to meet the needs of the times, there are also genetically rooted adaptations through the survival of numerous bouts of natural selection. One question that arises is, if race is not a biological construct, is it an evolutionary construct? In examining some characteristics such as cephalic index and stature, scientists have found differences in these categories in the same ethnic group at two different geographical locations. (Lasker, 1969). While the research modes at the time were outdated, the ethnic data pool was insubstantial, and alternative explanations could be provided given the results, one interpretation of the data is that race as an evolutionary construct is a more feasible idea than that of biological race. Plasticity allows us to adapt to different altitudes, heat, cold, nutrition requirements, and growth, and given different geographical locations segregated by race, these adaptive markers are more indicative of race than biological or genetic based …show more content…
These variations exist in both somatic and psychological pathologies and can be attributed to environmental stressors which may have implications on the biological and genetic makeup of these individuals. There are inevitably benefits and disadvantages to this fact; benefits including an understanding of genetic variation, presentation of pathologies, as well as sociocultural data. However there are unfortunately an assortment of flaws in these variations as per human nature. As the general public views correlation as causation, these racial differences in pathological phenotype is basis enough for people to believe in biological races, and thus clouds objective judgment in the diagnosis of an illness across ethnicities. (Fine, 2005). Further research is required to accurately identify the cause for pathological variation in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of all pathologies in all races. However, this research should not aid in the polarization of race as a biological construct as environmental stresses and cultural differences are just as much a factor in the presentation of disease. It is more than apparent that biological race does not exist even after decades of research, and that it is human nature to focus on differences and phenotypic variation between races is not an exception. Race is further sanctioned by differences in culture, presentation in pathologies, and adaptations