82.9k views
5 votes
There are no clear-cut biological races of human beings.
a. true
b. false

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

True, biological races in human beings do not exist as there is more genetic variation within supposed racial groups than between them.

Step-by-step explanation:

True, there are no clear-cut biological races of human beings. Biological anthropologists like Agustín Fuentes and Nina Jablonski have shown that human traits, such as skin color and blood type, do not neatly divide humans into racial categories. Notions of race are not biologically accurate as there is more variation within these so-called racial groups than between them.

Skin color illustrates the biological spectrum of human variation, ranging from pinkish beige to dark brown with no discrete boundaries. Genetic markers for physical traits do not align with the social constructs of race. The human genome project revealed that there is more genetic variety within a so-called racial group than between different groups, making race biologically unfounded and a poor construct for studying human genetic diversity.

The concept of race also fails from a statistical perspective because the genetic variation within groups often equals or exceeds variation between groups. Thus, race is not a valid scientific category but has significant social implications. Statisticians and scientists reject race as biologically meaningful, although it remains a potent social reality.

Overall, race as a biological concept does not have a genetic or scientific basis, but understanding its impact on sociological and psychological levels is critical due to its effects on society and the histories of groups of people within it.

User Staxim
by
8.9k points

No related questions found