Arguments Against Biological Race

The existence of race is a matter of contention. Forensic anthropologists deem it a useful entity in their line of work due to finding success with using race for matching skeletal remains with a particular profile. However, arguments against the existence of a biological race are convincing. Analysis of genetic sequences has revealed that whilst there is much individual genetic variation, between population differences are minute (Livingstone and Dobzhansky, 1962). Specifically, Templeton (1998) analysed mitochondrial DNA, finding 85% of variation was due to ‘individual differences’ whilst only 15% could be put down to differences between race. He highlights specific examples, finding more genetic similarities between Europeans and sub-Saharan Africans than Europeans and Melanesians. Additionally, scientists have successfully sequenced the entire human genome. If there was a valid argument for the existence of biological race, then certain genetic polymorphisms would likely be present in certain groups and absent in others. (Helm & Talleyrand, 1997). Such findings very much reinforce the view anthropologists hold that race is socially constructed; only real in in the sense of culture and politics. …show more content…
Laws arose, aiming to reinforce the belief that Africans hereditary meant that they were inferior and whites superior aiming keep racial categories separate. For example, marriage between white and Africans was forbidden, as was the right of Europeans to befriend Africans. There was new legislation regarding labour, upheld by the belief that Africans hereditary predetermined them for slavery. Jobs involving skilled labour and land ownership was reserved for Europeans. The aim of this radicalisation was to create the white privilege, with the belief instilled that European ancestry was inherently