Changes for page The Existence of Race

Summary

• Page properties (1 modified, 0 added, 0 removed)

Details

Page properties

Content

...	...	@@ -81,13 +81,13 @@
81	81
82	82	* Disease Susceptibilities: Different races show differing patterns of disease prevalence. For example, hypertension and type-2 diabetes rates are notably higher in some populations (e.g., African-Americans have higher hypertension prevalence than whites in the U.S.), likely due to a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Prostate cancer is another example – it has a significantly higher incidence and mortality in men of African descent worldwide compared to other groups, suggesting genetic risk factors play a role. Meanwhile, osteoporosis is more common in people of European and Asian descent and relatively less common in Africans (consistent with the higher bone density in black populations).{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=higher%20mineral%20content,in%20blacks%20than%20in%20whites{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=Blacks%20have%20more%20lean%20body,years%20sooner%20than%20white%20children{{/footnote}} Skin cancers are very rare in darkly pigmented races but common in light-pigmented groups under strong sunlight. Each of these disparities has a biological component tied to race.
83	83
84		-A dramatic illustration was given by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher: as of around 2000, *black infants in America were 2.5 times more likely to die in their first year than white infants.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} While some of this difference is socioeconomic, studies have found that even after accounting for factors like income and access to care, racial gaps in infant mortality and other health outcomes persist.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} The cause is not fully understood – hypotheses range from chronic stress of discrimination to possible genetic or bio-social factors. The AR (American Renaissance) source cynically noted that it’s hard to attribute an excess death rate in *newborns* to social racism,/footn hinting that biological differences (e.g. lower birth weight, different maturation rates, etc.) might be involved. While that interpretation is controversial, the raw facts of health disparities underscore that human populations are *not identical in health profile*, and some differences may stem from inherited traits. Modern medicine is actively studying such differences to better tailor treatments and preventive measures to diverse populations.
	84	+A dramatic illustration was given by former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher: as of around 2000, *black infants in America were 2.5 times more likely to die in their first year than white infants.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} While some of this difference is socioeconomic, studies have found that even after accounting for factors like income and access to care, racial gaps in infant mortality and other health outcomes persist.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} The cause is not fully understood – hypotheses range from chronic stress of discrimination to possible genetic or bio-social factors. The AR (American Renaissance) source cynically noted that it’s hard to attribute an excess death rate in *newborns* to social racism,{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=This%20difference%20is%20often%20ascribed,be%20caused%20by%20one%20of{{/footnote}} hinting that biological differences (e.g. lower birth weight, different maturation rates, etc.) might be involved. While that interpretation is controversial, the raw facts of health disparities underscore that human populations are *not identical in health profile*, and some differences may stem from inherited traits. Modern medicine is actively studying such differences to better tailor treatments and preventive measures to diverse populations.{{footnote}} https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26756268_Is_Homo_sapiens_polytypic_Human_taxonomic_diversity_and_its_implications#:~:text=Finally%20the%20implications%20of%20this,save%20lives%20in%20the%20future{{/footnote}}
85	85
86	86	## Evolved Differences Beyond Skin Color##
87	87
88	88	As the above examples show, many racial differences have legitimate evolutionary purposes aside from the superficial trait of skin pigmentation. Each race represents an adaptive package: a set of traits that offered survival or reproductive advantages in their ancestral environment. A few key examples of adaptive differences include:
89	89
90		-* Thermoregulation: Body builds (slender vs stocky), sweat gland activity, and even resting metabolic rate differ by climate of origin. These help people either shed heat (Africans have more sweat glands and lower metabolic heat production) or retain heat (Inuit and others have compact builds and maybe higher metabolic rates). Even fat storage patterns (steatopygia vs generalized fat) are adaptive responses to heat vs cold stress.
	90	+* Thermoregulation: Body builds (slender vs stocky), sweat gland activity, and even resting metabolic rate differ by climate of origin.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=A%20related%20biological%20reality%20is,more%20likely%20to%20become%20obese{{/footnote}} These help people either shed heat (Africans have more sweat glands and lower metabolic heat production){{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=A%20related%20biological%20reality%20is,more%20likely%20to%20become%20obese{{/footnote}} or retain heat (Inuit and others have compact builds and maybe higher metabolic rates). Even fat storage patterns (steatopygia vs generalized fat) are adaptive responses to heat vs cold stress.{{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=A%20related%20biological%20reality%20is,more%20likely%20to%20become%20obese{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=human%20equivalent%20of%20the%20camel%E2%80%99s,too%2C%20is%20a%20biological%20reality{{/footnote}}
91	91
92	92	* Altitude Adaptation: High-altitude populations (Tibetans in Asia, Quechua in the Andes, Amhara in Ethiopia) have evolved unique physiological adaptations to low oxygen – e.g., Tibetans carry genetic variants (*EPAS1, EGLN1*) that prevent thick blood at altitude, allowing them to thrive where others get chronic altitude sickness. These variants are largely absent in lowland populations, indicating a relatively rapid local evolution. (Though not among the provided sources, this is a well-established racial adaptation.)
93	93
...	...	@@ -101,21 +101,21 @@
101	101
102	102	## Controversies and Misconceptions##
103	103
104		-Despite the scientific evidence for biological races, the topic is often contentious. One reason is that racial classification was historically misused to justify discrimination. This has led some scholars to reject the race concept entirely or say “race is only a social construct.” It is certainly true that the *folk categories* of race (how societies arbitrarily define racial groups) have some ambiguity and that no single gene distinguishes all members of one race from all of another. However, to leap from those truths to the claim that “race has no biological basis” is an overgeneralization not supported by current science.
	104	+Despite the scientific evidence for biological races, the topic is often contentious. One reason is that racial classification was historically misused to justify discrimination. This has led some scholars to reject the race concept entirely or say “race is only a social construct.” It is certainly true that the *folk categories* of race (how societies arbitrarily define racial groups) have some ambiguity and that no single gene distinguishes all members of one race from all of another. However, to leap from those truths to the claim that “race has no biological basis” is an overgeneralization not supported by current science.{{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=This%20in%20turn%20means%20that,discussed%20in%20an%20earlier%20post{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=The%20meaning%20of%20the%20biological,evolutionary%20origin%20of%20group%20members{{/footnote}}
105	105
106		-Modern researchers advocating a biological understanding of race do not claim that races are *totally separate or discrete*. Instead, they recognize that human variation is clinal and statistical – meaning traits change gradually over geography and that any racial boundaries will be blurred at the edges. But *fuzzy boundaries do not erase the existence of clusters*. As evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne explains, the existence of intermediate cases or the arbitrariness of drawing lines does not negate the reality that genetic ancestry clusters exist and matter. We can analogize to colors of the rainbow: there is no sharp boundary between, say, orange and yellow, yet orange and yellow are real groupings on the light spectrum. Similarly, human groups transition gradually, yet Africans, Europeans, East Asians, etc., are real genetic clusters at the continental scale.
	106	+Modern researchers advocating a biological understanding of race do not claim that races are *totally separate or discrete*. Instead, they recognize that human variation is clinal and statistical – meaning traits change gradually over geography and that any racial boundaries will be blurred at the edges. But *fuzzy boundaries do not erase the existence of clusters*. As evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne explains, the existence of intermediate cases or the arbitrariness of drawing lines does not negate the reality that genetic ancestry clusters exist and matter.{{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=The%20meaning%20of%20the%20biological,evolutionary%20origin%20of%20group%20members{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=,And%20Me%20stay%20in%20business{{/footnote}} We can analogize to colors of the rainbow: there is no sharp boundary between, say, orange and yellow, yet orange and yellow are real groupings on the light spectrum. Similarly, human groups transition gradually, yet Africans, Europeans, East Asians, etc., are real genetic clusters at the continental scale.{{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=,And%20Me%20stay%20in%20business{{/footnote}}
107	107
108		-Another common misconception comes from quoting Lewontin’s 85% figure (within-race variation) to say “there are more differences within races than between them.” This argument, as discussed, is fallacious when used to dismiss race. Yes, any two random humans share the vast majority (\99.9%) of their DNA, and any two people of the same race are not genetically identical either. But the pattern of that 0.1% difference is highly structured by ancestry. Numerous loci considered together provide enough information to distinguish populations with great reliability. To put it another way, the *overall genomic similarity* between any two humans is high, yet the *specific ways* in which they differ can tell us their ancestral background. This is why genomic analysis can determine a person’s continent-of-origin, or even more fine-grained ethnicity, from a DNA sample – something impossible if race were solely a social fiction.
	108	+Another common misconception comes from quoting Lewontin’s 85% figure (within-race variation) to say “there are more differences within races than between them.” This argument, as discussed, is fallacious when used to dismiss race.{{footnote}} https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=An%20argument%20is%20that%20there,it%20is%20fallacious%20because%20it{{/footnote}} Yes, any two random humans share the vast majority (\99.9%) of their DNA, and any two people of the same race are not genetically identical either. But the pattern of that 0.1% difference is highly structured by ancestry. Numerous loci considered together provide enough information to distinguish populations with great reliability.{{footnote}}https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=authors%20note%3A{{/footnote}} To put it another way, the *overall genomic similarity* between any two humans is high, yet the *specific ways* in which they differ can tell us their ancestral background. This is why genomic analysis can determine a person’s continent-of-origin, or even more fine-grained ethnicity, from a DNA sample – something impossible if race were solely a social fiction.
109	109
110		-Some critics argue that human groups haven’t been isolated long enough to speciate or form true subspecies. It’s true humans only began dispersing out of Africa \70k years ago, which is recent in evolutionary terms. But even in that time, significant differentiation has occurred. In fact, researchers have pointed out that *numerous other mammal species* have subspecies that diverged around the same time frame as human races did. For example, certain baboon species or leopard subspecies separated from each other only tens of thousands of years ago and are recognized as distinct. The relatively short timeline does not preclude meaningful evolutionary change, especially under strong selective pressures (like climate, disease, diet). Human evolution didn’t “stop” in the Paleolithic; it continued in varying directions on each continent. As a result, the concept of human races remains biologically valid in describing that differentiation.
	110	+Some critics argue that human groups haven’t been isolated long enough to speciate or form true subspecies. It’s true humans only began dispersing out of Africa \70k years ago, which is recent in evolutionary terms. But even in that time, significant differentiation has occurred. In fact, researchers have pointed out that *numerous other mammal species* have subspecies that diverged around the same time frame as human races did.{{footnote}} https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=Another%20false%20argument%20is%20that,gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC1689361{{/footnote}} For example, certain baboon species or leopard subspecies separated from each other only tens of thousands of years ago and are recognized as distinct. The relatively short timeline does not preclude meaningful evolutionary change, especially under strong selective pressures (like climate, disease, diet). Human evolution didn’t “stop” in the Paleolithic; it continued in varying directions on each continent. As a result, the concept of human races remains biologically valid in describing that differentiation.
111	111
112		-It’s also worth noting that biological race ≠ racist ideology. Acknowledging biological races does *not* imply any rank or inherent superiority/inferiority; it simply recognizes human adaptive diversity. Many scholars prefer the term “population” or “ancestry group” to avoid the political baggage of “race,” but the underlying idea is the same. Philosopher Neven Sesardić has argued that the biological concept of race (as used by scientists like Dobzhansky mid-20th century) is still sound and has been unfairly misrepresented by social constructionists. Sesardić showed that the oft-cited conceptual criticisms (e.g. “races aren’t discrete,” “no trait is unique to a race”) do not actually invalidate the biological race concept properly understood. In fact, when one looks at what current genetic research says, it vindicates the notion that self-identified race corresponds to real patterns of genetic ancestry and variation, even though race has social dimensions too.
	112	+It’s also worth noting that biological race ≠ racist ideology. Acknowledging biological races does *not* imply any rank or inherent superiority/inferiority; it simply recognizes human adaptive diversity. Many scholars prefer the term “population” or “ancestry group” to avoid the political baggage of “race,” but the underlying idea is the same. Philosopher Neven Sesardić has argued that the biological concept of race (as used by scientists like Dobzhansky mid-20th century) is still sound and has been unfairly misrepresented by social constructionists.{{footnote}} https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=,some%20leading%20contemporary%20scholars%20who{{/footnote}} Sesardić showed that the oft-cited conceptual criticisms (e.g. “races aren’t discrete,” “no trait is unique to a race”) do not actually invalidate the biological race concept properly understood.{{footnote}} https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=,some%20leading%20contemporary%20scholars%20who{{/footnote}} In fact, when one looks at what current genetic research says, it vindicates the notion that self-identified race corresponds to real patterns of genetic ancestry and variation, even though race has social dimensions too.{{footnote}} https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=,some%20leading%20contemporary%20scholars%20who{{/footnote}} {{footnote}} https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2022/07/19/once-again-are-races-social-constructs-without-scientific-or-biological-meaning/#:~:text=This%20in%20turn%20means%20that,discussed%20in%20an%20earlier%20post{{/footnote}}
113	113
114	114	## Conclusion##
115	115
116	116	In conclusion, \*\*race exists in the human species as a biological reality, albeit a complex and nuanced one. Humans are a genetically and phenotypically diverse species, and this diversity is not randomly distributed but rather clustered by lineage and geography. Major racial groups (whether we call them races, subspecies, or populations) exhibit significant differences in allele frequencies and in numerous anatomical and physiological traits – from blood antigens and disease susceptibilities to growth patterns, body proportions, and metabolic adaptations. These differences largely reflect thousands of years of evolutionary adaptation to different environments and genetic drift in separated gene pools.
117	117
118		-Understanding the biological reality of race has important practical benefits. In medicine, it can literally save lives: being aware of racial differences in disease risk or drug response can improve diagnosis and treatment. For example, tailoring health screening (such as sickle-cell trait screening for African-descended populations) or ensuring diverse blood donations are direct applications. In anthropology and human history, recognizing races (in the sense of lineage clusters) is essential for reconstructing human migratory events and evolutionary history. It provides an accurate picture of how different human groups emerged and interacted over time.
	118	+Understanding the biological reality of race has important practical benefits. In medicine, it can literally save lives: being aware of racial differences in disease risk or drug response can improve diagnosis and treatment.{{footnote}} https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26756268_Is_Homo_sapiens_polytypic_Human_taxonomic_diversity_and_its_implications#:~:text=Finally%20the%20implications%20of%20this,save%20lives%20in%20the%20future{{/footnote}} For example, tailoring health screening (such as sickle-cell trait screening for African-descended populations)/foot or ensuring diverse blood donations are direct applications. In anthropology and human history, recognizing races (in the sense of lineage clusters) is essential for reconstructing human migratory events and evolutionary history. It provides an accurate picture of how different human groups emerged and interacted over time.
119	119
120	120	None of this is to deny the *social* reality of race – of course, cultural notions of race have changed and often been misused. But biologically, race is not a myth. As one geneticist wrote, “the genome challenges the social construction of race” by showing that genetic clusters consistent with racial classifications do indeed exist. In the end, it’s more scientifically sound and beneficial to appreciate human racial diversity for what it is – an integral part of our species’ natural heritage. Embracing this understanding, while rejecting racist prejudices, leads to a more honest and useful discourse. The biological concept of race, properly defined and contextualized, remains a robust framework in human biology and medicine, supported by countless empirical findings. Far from being “disproven,” the existence of human races is continually reinforced by modern research across genetics, anthropology, and epidemiology.
121	121