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Anthropologists' views on race, ancestry, and genetics
Author(s) -
Wagner Jennifer K.,
Yu JoonHo,
Ifekwunigwe Jayne O.,
Harrell Tanya M.,
Bamshad Michael J.,
Royal Charmaine D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23120
Subject(s) - race (biology) , privilege (computing) , rhetoric , genetic genealogy , sociology , racism , gender studies , political science , population , law , demography , linguistics , philosophy
Controversies over race conceptualizations have been ongoing for centuries and have been shaped, in part, by anthropologists. Objective To assess anthropologists' views on race, genetics, and ancestry. Methods In 2012 a broad national survey of anthropologists examined prevailing views on race, ancestry, and genetics. Results Results demonstrate consensus that there are no human biological races and recognition that race exists as lived social experiences that can have important effects on health. Discussion Racial privilege affects anthropologists' views on race, underscoring the importance that anthropologists be vigilant of biases in the profession and practice. Anthropologists must mitigate racial biases in society wherever they might be lurking and quash any sociopolitical attempts to normalize or promote racist rhetoric, sentiment, and behavior.