Race: Science's Last Taboo

Themes: Genetics and Environment

Are multi ethnic individuals more resistant to certain diseases? How is our genetic make up linked to the environment we live in?

ARTICLES

Let's Move On From Race

Should we focus on social equality instead of gene pools?

Q & A with Mark Shriver

Population geneticist, Morehouse College, Atlanta.

The New Language of Diversity

Kenan Malik considers why race is back on the modern social agenda?

Q & A with Jim Wilson

Population geneticist, University of Edinburgh.

Context: Is It Better To Be Mixed Race?

A comprehensive study of hybrid vigour and heterozygous advantage.

Race Fact List

A few quick pointers on race.

CLIPS

Poverty and Underachievement

Interview with Oona King.

GLOSSARY

Not sure what something means? Use our glossary for definitions of specific terms used in this series.

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TIMELINE

The word ‘race’ was first used to refer to humans during the age of exploration, when Europeans discovered that the world was populated by different peoples. Have attitudes to race changed since then?

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OTHER THEMES

POWER

Is racial categorisation linked to the quest for power by one social group over another?

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SCIENCE AND MYTHS

What’s the link between Darwin and Eugenics? Uncover the myths surrounding science and racial differentiation.

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GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Are multi ethnic individuals more resistant to certain diseases? How is our genetic make up linked to the environment we live in?

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BEAUTY

So-called ‘Ethnic Plastic Surgery’ has come under controversial fire for promoting a more ‘Caucasian’ look. Is our idea of physical beauty related to racial categorisation?