This is not only a difficult subject to define correctly, it is also a contentious one. For a start, how do we define race? In addition, is it different to ethnicity and if so, how do we define it? Throughout most of our history, race and ethnicity have been the reason for prejudice and in many cases, it has led to violence and wars. If we are being brutally honest, it is still with us. So, how can we shine a light on this subject without incurring the wrath of different believers? As usual in “Feeding the Curious Mind” I shall use science and common sense to make a case for the human race.
For countless years, many have believed that the world is made up of different races and to back up this claim, they cite various physical differences in how we look and our cultures. When our knowledge included evolution and our genetic makeup, an entirely different explanation became available. Before this, we used social constructs to separate us into different races.
The truth of the matter is that neither race nor ethnicity can be detected in the human genome. Remember, the genome is our master blueprint of who we are. So, it is kind of important as an argument. There are variations in the genetic code which indicate where people came from in the world in ancient times, but these cannot be assigned to biological categories. Nor can you prove differences in race by conducting genetic testing.
Humans share over 99% of their genetic makeup, no matter what they look like or come from. So, rather than having many races in our human civilisation, let us instead decide that we are all very, very similar and call the human race a draw!
John Pullen 