It is unfortunate that simply saying the above headline to a person of color is now considered RACIST. Unfortunate because in the pursuit of health, it is helpful to understand a person's genetic makeup. You learn a person's genetic makeup by exploring their deep history. "Where did your people come from?" is a question I have used for years to begin to understand this. I get very interesting answers and stories.
It would be so much easier if everyone would do genetic testing like to assess their origins. If someone were to ask me "Where are you REALLY from" I would answer "I am a Euro-mutt." If they pressed me further, I'd say I'm from "Northern and Western Europe, plus a trace of Polynesian islander". In spite of family lore and my blood type, I know that I am not descended from the native tribes of North America--unless 23 and Me (the gene testing I used) has mistaken Native American genes for Polynesian. I have no way to assess that.
Discussing people's origins and genetics is important in medicine. To really understand a person's evolutionary predispositions and needs, we need to know where (or better, WHO) they are "from".
I understand that people of color have long been harassed by repeated questions along these lines. I know that recently a British royal employee apologized and resigned after questioning an Australian official this way. The social ramifications are playing out as they must in this time of high sensitivity. As medical professional, I maintain that we need to be allowed to talk about our evolution and genetics, because if we cannot, we are deprived of a huge and growing resource.
Genetics and epigenetics will be part of the Future of Medicine. There is no avoiding it. Learning about a person's evolutionary origins is not racist in this setting, it is humanist. It is an attempt to understand, and to help.
Please be kind to each other. Regardless of variations in genetics and in appearance, we are all human. It is my opinion that all humans deserve a certain base level of respect and dignity. Give it. Without question. Work to recognize and deprogram your biases. Accept that not all words that hit your buttons are "racist" or sexist. Your buttons are YOUR biases, your programming, and only you have the ability to do something about them.
Image below: Skin with low melanin, and its layers.
It would be so much easier if everyone would do genetic testing like to assess their origins. If someone were to ask me "Where are you REALLY from" I would answer "I am a Euro-mutt." If they pressed me further, I'd say I'm from "Northern and Western Europe, plus a trace of Polynesian islander". In spite of family lore and my blood type, I know that I am not descended from the native tribes of North America--unless 23 and Me (the gene testing I used) has mistaken Native American genes for Polynesian. I have no way to assess that.
Discussing people's origins and genetics is important in medicine. To really understand a person's evolutionary predispositions and needs, we need to know where (or better, WHO) they are "from".
I understand that people of color have long been harassed by repeated questions along these lines. I know that recently a British royal employee apologized and resigned after questioning an Australian official this way. The social ramifications are playing out as they must in this time of high sensitivity. As medical professional, I maintain that we need to be allowed to talk about our evolution and genetics, because if we cannot, we are deprived of a huge and growing resource.
Genetics and epigenetics will be part of the Future of Medicine. There is no avoiding it. Learning about a person's evolutionary origins is not racist in this setting, it is humanist. It is an attempt to understand, and to help.
Please be kind to each other. Regardless of variations in genetics and in appearance, we are all human. It is my opinion that all humans deserve a certain base level of respect and dignity. Give it. Without question. Work to recognize and deprogram your biases. Accept that not all words that hit your buttons are "racist" or sexist. Your buttons are YOUR biases, your programming, and only you have the ability to do something about them.
Image below: Skin with low melanin, and its layers.
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