Conservationist

Biologists have constructed a genetic map of Europe showing the degree of relatedness between its various populations.

All the populations are quite similar, but the differences are sufficient that it should be possible to devise a forensic test to tell which country in Europe an individual probably comes from, said Manfred Kayser, a geneticist at the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

The New York Times > Log In

Actually, it seems they've proved the opposite for both race and ethnicity. Guess we need to worry about human biodiversity as well, then.

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Beyond Modern Society / Transcendentalism / Pan-Nationalism

Frolicking Dinosaurs

::: Dino removes cobwebs at ceiling level with eyebrow :::

If race is not genetic, then why do people of the same race always have babies of that race? I believe this study makes a strong case for far more migration by populations in mankind's prehistoric period than for race not being a genetically determined characteristic.

shuamort

I understand the article just fine... I don't see anywhere that the article comes close to saying what the OP is claiming being said. Care to connect these estranged dots?

Simon W. Moon

Which race someone "is" is socially determined. People of divergent appearance can have very similar genetic heritage.
Ever hear of the 'one drop' rule?

Also consider that people in other parts of the world see race differently than Americans. Ever see the race riots in Europe or Africa? To Americans it looks like whites v whites and blacks v blacks. However, in different social circumstances (eg the other countries) race is defined differently.

It's also worth noting that there's as much genetic difference in Africa amongst people Americans would consider all being 'black' as there is among people we recognize as being of different races.

So while genetics does have influence on appearances, 'race' is a social construction.

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1069

Absolutely. Much like the way sex is genetically determined, but gender is a social construct.

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bub

cool article!

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Korimyr the Rat

No kidding. There are "African" people in this country with more Anglo-Saxon blood than I have.

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UtahBill

Estranged dots, I like that....gonna put it in my vocabulary. I may even give credit to you when I use it....

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Frolicking Dinosaurs

If you consider race to be a set of social characteristics, then I do agree. However, I consider race to be a set of physical characteristics.

I have a great grandchild that is 1/2 black and 1/2 white. He has always lived in with white people. His appearance is such that he appears to be an Africa-American. I submit that his appearance will dramatically alter how other perceive him and he will likely be socialized as a black American.

Simon W. Moon

Sometimes people use physical characteristics to decide which race someone belongs to and sometimes they do not. That's the point. Race is determined by your social milieu. In another patr of the world different characteristics are lumped together differently.

Exactly my point. His race is decided by his social environment not his genetics.