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. 2020 Aug 19;15(8):e0237041.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237041. eCollection 2020.

Genetic ancestry, skin color and social attainment: The four cities study

Dede K Teteh  1 , Lenna Dawkins-Moultin  2 , Stanley Hooker  1 , Wenndy Hernandez  3 , Carolina Bonilla  4 , Dorothy Galloway  1 , Victor LaGroon  1 , Eunice Rebecca Santos  5 , Mark Shriver  6 , Charmaine D M Royal  7 , Rick A Kittles  1
Affiliations

Genetic ancestry, skin color and social attainment: The four cities study

Dede K Teteh et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: The Black population in the US is heterogeneous but is often treated as monolithic in research, with skin pigmentation being the primary indicator of racial classification. Objective: This paper examines the differences among Blacks by comparing genetic ancestry, skin color and social attainment of 259 residents across four US cities-Norman, Oklahoma; Cincinnati, Ohio; Harlem, New York; and Washington, District of Columbia.

Methods: Participants were recruited between 2004 and 2006 at community-based forums. Cross-sectional data were analyzed using chi-square tests, correlation analyses and logistic regression.

Results: There were variations in ancestry, melanin index and social attainment across some cities. Overall, men with darker skin color, and women with lighter skin color were significantly more likely to be married. Darker skin individuals with significantly more West African ancestry reported attainment of graduate degrees, and professional occupations than lighter skin individuals.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest differences in skin pigmentation by geography and support regional variations in ancestry of US Blacks. Biomedical research should consider genetic ancestry and local historical/social context rather than relying solely on skin pigmentation as a proxy for race.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Rick Kittles has financial interests in an ancestry DNA testing company and/or products. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The other authors have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup pie charts with percentages.
Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups. L—Africa; M, N—North East Africa/Middle East; A, B, C, D, X—Native American; A, B, C, D, F, G—Asia; H, I, J, N, U, K, V, J, Z, W—Europe.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Diversity of mitochondrial DNA L-haplogroups among African Americans in the Four City Study.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Self-identified race/ethnicity versus genetic evidence of Native American Ancestry (NAA) among mixed individuals.
A. Individuals who identify as mixed show little Native American (NAA) maternal genetic ancestry as evidenced by mitochondrial DNA haplogroups B. Among mixed individuals that claim Native American Ancestry, few have greater than 10% global Native American or European American Genetic Ancestry (EAA).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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