Terence L. Jones, PhD
|
Genetic disorders represent a tiny fraction of the total burden of ill health and are being funded disproportionally when correlated with chronic disease ailments. This research is vulnerable to abuse because it is backed mostly by venture capital.
Ifgene-David Heaf
The nature of race has sparked debates and inquiries into the study of human genes. These gene elements determine the hereditary traits of each individual in society. The so called "secret of life" embedded in our DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) evidenced by the color of your eyes, the texture of your hair, you name it our genes code for it.
In the early 1970's biologist Richard Lewontin's research concluded that variations in genes within and among different population groups did not rest on racial lines at all. Instead his research along with repeated experiments over the years affirmed that at the molecular level human beings are more alike than different. Scientific experts joined together in accepting this scientific evidence that racial categories that have long stratified our nation and were used to justify racial oppression represented social and political constructs or beliefs not scientific facts. However, the notion that race is real as a biological fact did not die.
In addition, work on the historic "Human Genome Project, "partially located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, declared in 2000 that race was not a valid scientific concept but still failed to squash the naysayer's.
All technologies, including new genetic technologies, develop in a political, economic and social context according to Patricia Berne of the "Center for Genetics and Society" in Oakland, California. She suggests that before race is resurrected and redefined by biologists, geneticists, and biotechnology firms, advocates of social justice, the American public and scientific researchers must grapple with the issues and add their voices to the debate.
During a health conference I attended, the Genetic researchers took time out to view the new "Genomics" and the ghost of race past. It was carefully elucidated that biomedical research has a challenge in seeking to understand how DNA sequence variation contributes to variation in susceptibility to common complex diseases? For example prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in African American men accounting for 40% of all cancer diagnoses in this group. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in African American men, second only to lung cancer.
As a bit of background, the role and structure of DNA was initially delineated by researchers Watson& Crick as all good biology students know. Then, as biochemistry students are well aware, Linus Pauling from the University of California identified the first molecular based disease "Sickle Cell Anemia" (SCA)
Genetic research has come a long way. It has also benefited Forensic science, through the use of DNA, and been instrumental in having inmates released from prison who were falsely accused of heinous crimes. The Innocence Project, a legal advocacy group has been instrumental in this regard. What many don't realize is that just as easily, DNA, can be turned into a high tech tool for racial profiling although on shakier scientific ground. In the wrong hands it can be used to falsely accuse.
Recently we had a case here in Albuquerque where a woman accused a man of being her baby's daddy. He paid thousands in child support only to find out that, according to local news reports, the woman never had his baby. She allegedly conspired with associates to obtain tainted DNA tests and someone else's child to prove she had a child by this man.
In the area of medical research, genetic science is similarly double-edged in the realm of health research. Initially research trials in the US included only male white subjects and now the government has moved to assure all races and genders are included in the research. There were a number of notable Black scientists who were not in agreement. Duana Fullwiley of Harvard, who recently published "The Molecularization of Race" and Otis Brawley formerly with the National Cancer Institute wrote: "the legislation's emphasis on potential racial differences fosters the racism that its creators want to abrogate by establishing government-sponsored research on the basis of the belief that there are significant biological differences among the races".
Paradoxically, as the Human Genome Project discredited the use of race in science, the pharmaceutical industry moved in the opposite direction, according to Fullwiley instead of focusing on the 99.9% overlap in all human genes, the Pharmacogenetics Research Network, a government–funded follow-up to the Human Genome Project honed in on the 0.01 percent difference as a source of the new discoveries and therapies.
Troy Duster, a UC medical sociologist, who published a book on Eugenics several years ago, allows there may be faulty reasoning behind the above approach. Also he cited epidemiologist Richard S. Cooper who pointed out that "Germany has the highest rates of hypertension worldwide, and Nigeria has the lowest rate." Race and genetics doesn't appear to be the issue in this analogy.
Comments are Appreciated please send to:
tlj135@netscape.net