Projit Mukharji’s presentation about the function of genetics in race, and the \u00a0malfeasances of Indian scientists illuminated the dangers of using genetics to differentiate us. He detailed the history of how the Indian Genome Variation Database worked to obtain samples, and often did it through questionable methods. Throughout his presentation, I kept thinking about how this information can be used to reinforce racist ideals. How groups could use genetic analysis to further separate races and encourage the deepening existing divides. Furthermore, the methods that the IGVDB used to gather genetic samples reinforces the Indian caste system and power dynamics between different socioeconomic groups. Dr. Mukharji’s lecture invoked a future where we rely on ancient differences to keep us, as a species, apart.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mukharji’s talk touched upon this in more ways than one. The more evident one that occurred to me was using the genetic variation to establish \u00a0differences within our one\u00a0Homo\u00a0sapien\u00a0<\/i>species. As I mentioned before, this is a dangerous idea that could be used to promote segregation, supremacy, and eugenics. Applying genetics and artificial selection to humans is the premise behind eugenics. The word, derived from the Greek Eugenes<\/i>\u00a0meaning “good race” , is famously related to Nazism and Hitler’s reasoning behind concentration camps. Differentiating between races and ethnicities can be used as fuel for these kinds of ideas, furthering hate speech and racism in particular.<\/p>\n
Looking at ideas that are more specific to Dr. Mukharji’s talk, the IGVDB mapped genes specifically across India, pointing out similarities and differences within the country’s population. This project, in my opinion, causes rifts within the country, splitting it geographically as well as by class and caste. By the IGVDB pointing out the differences within the population, it furthers the strata in the country.\u00a0In addition, the manner at which the scientists at IGVDB collected genetic samples was manipulative and capitalized on differences in education levels. This ultimately boils down to differences in caste and class – high caste IGVDB officials took advantage of lower caste people to obtain samples from them without their consent.<\/p>\n
In the end, Dr. Mukharji’s presentation invoked a level of fear for me. In today’s age of increasing scientific technology, and also the age of pointing out differences, it makes me weary to see how this could negatively effect the human population as a whole. Instead of promoting nationalism and solidarity, this promotes exclusivity and division. We shouldn’t be focusing on the minuscule percentage differences between us, we should be celebrating our commonality. We should recognize the human race as a whole, but not forget about our unique characteristics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Projit Mukharji’s presentation about the function of genetics in race, and the \u00a0malfeasances of Indian scientists illuminated the dangers of using genetics to differentiate us. He detailed the history of how the Indian Genome Variation Database worked to obtain samples, and often did it through questionable methods. Throughout his presentation, I kept thinking about how … <\/p>\n