Question

In: Biology

1. Based on the human variation, why do most people misunderstand the concept of "race"? Instead...

1. Based on the human variation, why do most people misunderstand the concept of "race"? Instead of using the concept of race to describe human variation, what would be a better explanation for human diversity?

2. What can we learn about the falsehoods of race as a biological concept? How this should be taught in schools?

Solutions

Expert Solution

1. Race is the grouping of humans based on their physical or social qualities shared by them. People often misunderstand this, seems like race defines only physical characteristics or traits such as skin colour because humans share distinct skin colours based on their geographic regions.

Instead of using the concept of race to describe human variation, environmental factors (such as nutrition and malnutrition, education, quality of life, health care, environment) and genetic factors (such as mutation, mate selection, gene flow) can give a better explanation for human variation.

2. Race has no relation with biology. It is completely a social concept. The way of discrimination as having skin colour of black or white has social interest. In biology we talk about human genetics, genetic characterization is there, but nothing like racial discrimination.

Students should be taught the difference between biological and social concepts. Race does not fall under biology. They should learn the actual meaning or concept of race. Schools may conduct a separate session on this which will help reducing racial discrimination.


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