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About Race & Human Biotechnology


Racist ideas and practices have marred the history of science, with low points including the eugenics movement and medical experiments on vulnerable populations. Public awareness and social oversight are needed to ensure that these sorts of occurrences are not repeated.

Today, some geneticists and biomedical researchers are searching for genetic differences between racial groups, raising concerns that these biological variations may be used to justify inequitable outcomes that are created by social, environmental, and economic forces. However well-meaning, this could lead to gross abuse.

Genetic researchers have been particularly interested in indigenous peoples. Their reproductive insularity has led to a genetic homogeneity that can facilitate searches for correlations between specific genes and phenotypic traits. Many indigenous people object to this work for a variety of practical and ethical reasons, including the patenting and commercialization of genetic information, the lack of fully informed consent, the potential for genetic discrimination, and the disproportionate allocation of public funds to genetic research rather than to direct health care and prevention programs.



Africans have 'child rape gene': Sweden Democratby Peter Vinthagen SimpsonThe LocalSeptember 3rd, 2010A local Sweden Democrat politician, Per T K Wahlberg, claims that black Africans are genetically programmed to rape children.
'Jewish gene' theories make waves in Germany, go unnoticed in Israelby Akiva EldarHaaretzAugust 31st, 2010German politician Thilo Sarrazin and the Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai both believe in 'Jewish genes,' but only Sarrazin is castigated for his belief.
Familial Searching Hits The Spotlightby Osagie Obasogie Biopolitical TimesJuly 14th, 2010Controversial familial searches in forensic DNA databases helped lead to the arrest of a serial killer known as the ‘Grim Sleeper.’
"Reports of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated"Race and Genetics Ten Years After the Human Genome Projectby Osagie K. ObasogieThe Huffington PostJune 18th, 2010Instead of closing the door on the historically misleading notion of race-as-biology, the ten-year-old Human Genome Project has drawn new attention toward biology's role in racial categories.
ASHG Takes on Genetic Ancestry Testsby Osagie K. ObasogieBiopolitical TimesJune 9th, 2010A new white paper by the American Society of Human Genetics raises questions about genetic ancestry tests.
The Crime Spree Continues? by Osagie ObasogieBiopolical TimesJune 2nd, 2010Despite huge fines levied against Big Phamrma, it looks like the criminal behavior of promoting the off-label use of drugs has continued.
Race, Genetics, and Law School Emailsby Osagie ObasogieBiopolitical TimesMay 9th, 2010The blogosphere was recently set ablaze by a leaked email from a third year Harvard Law student who, after a dinner with friends, wrote to clarify his/her position on race, genetics, and intelligence.
When Cultures Collideby Pete ShanksBiopolitical TimesApril 28th, 2010The lawsuit brought by 41 members of the Havasupai Indian tribe against Arizona State University has implications that go far beyond last week's settlement.
An Obituary for the First Race-Specific Drugby Osagie ObasogieBiopolitical TimesApril 28th, 2010What’s interesting is that the Minnesota Daily’s BiDil obituary doesn’t necessarily blame high prices or issues of bioequivalence as the cause for the drug’s failure. Rather, it points directly to the issues of race and political correctness.
Kids With Rare Condition Lack Racial Prejudiceby Robert PreidtHealthDay News / Business WeekApril 13th, 2010Children with Williams syndrome have no social fear and appear open, friendly to all, researchers say.
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