Weekly Genetics Quote #12: Mapping Human History
This week’s genetics quote is from Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and Our Common Origins by Steve Olson.
The genetic history of the Jews reemphasizes a conclusion that comes up repeatedly in the study of human groups. Our DNA forms a genetic substrate that everyone shares equally. Only human cultures can draw sharp distinctions among people. “Being Jewish doesn’t have anything to do with your genes,” a friend once told me. “It has to do with who you are.”
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Of course that’s true, but the social isolation and close family lines among certain groups of Jews (and other minority groups) has resulted in prevalence of certain diseases (Tay-Sachs is the most obvious for Eastern European Jews) among members of those groups. I think it’s very interesting to study those diseases in that context. But of course, there is always the danger that making those associations fuels the fires of bigotry. When we can accept that humans are simply the products of biology, geography, and social forces like any other species, we can move forward to increasing understanding of our own evolution and to curing disease.
river2sea72: I know you’ve thought a lot about this issue of genetics and race. If science could help us understand and support each other better, that would be incredible.