A brief history of the political work of genetics

Abstract

The biological sciences have long been used to define distinctions between people and to define inequalities as a natural consequence of essential biological traits. Today, geneticists draw distinctions on the basis of genetic predispositions. Their population-based methods can reinforce stereotypes about race and ethnic differences, providing concepts, validated by science, through which group differences can be interpreted as biologically ordained. Cases suggest how genetic variants can be used in social policies as individuals are differentially treated, not on the basis of their individual condition, but because of predispositions attributed to their group.