Do you agree with geneticists that there is no genetic basis to divide humans into races? Why or why not?
The current debate about whether there are human races is not centered on phenotypes but is
focused on the type and amount of genetic variation present between populations on different
continents. The average difference in genomic sequence between any two humans is 0.1%.
Of this, what proportion varies among populations on different continents? About 85% to
90% of this variation is found within populations on a continent, and the rest (10% to 15%) is
found between continental populations. The question is, does this genetic variation between
continental populations justify dividing our species into racial groups? In other words, should
the term race be redefined to mean the small amount of genetic variation that exists between
populations on different continents?
Supporters of this view emphasize the importance of these genetic differences for the study
of the evolution of our species, the dispersal of populations across the globe, and medical
care based on genetic variation. Opponents point out that relying on the small amount of
variation present between continental groups can lead to misidentification, and that accurate
classification of individuals from different populations with continuously varying levels of
genetic variation is impossible. For example, in 38% of cases in one study, Europeans were
more similar to Asians than to other Europeans based on genetic variation in the alleles
studied and for these individuals, their continent of origin would be identified as Asia instead
of Europe.
Given the very low levels of genetic variation present in the human genome and its
distribution, is there any reason to divide our species into races? At present, the vast majority
of geneticists would answer no to that question and agree that there is currently no genetic
basis for subdividing our species into racial groups.
You might also like to view...
Antimicrobials that have a high therapeutic index are less toxic to the patient
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
__________ refers to processes designed to induce immunity. Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s)
Manx cats have no tails. When two Manx cats are bred together there is always a one third chance that a kitten will have a tail. When a Manx cat is bred to a cat with a normal tail there is a one-half chance that a kitten will have a tail
Which of the following is the best explanation for this? A) The Manx genotype exhibits variable expression. B) The Manx phenotype is dominant, but the allele is a recessive lethal. C) The Manx phenotype is dominant epistatic. D) The Manx phenotype is caused by gene interactions. E) The Manx phenotype is a result of heteroplasmy.
Based on the concept map only, which of the following is most likely to be true of microbial metabolism?
a. The Krebs cycle produces molecules necessary for function of the electron transport chain. b. The energy from 2 ATP is necessary to drive the electron transport chain. c. Acetyl-CoA is converted directly into 2 ATP d. Acetyl-CoA is produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.