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The Emperor’s New Genes

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  • Ruha Benjamin

Abstract

This article addresses the politics of genomics through three diagnoses: The first, diagnosing objectivity , discusses how researchers involved in a large-scale population mapping initiative distinguish genomics as relatively objective, compared to other forms of knowledge production. The second case, diagnosing nationality , examines an attempt by the UK Border Agency to use genetic ancestry testing to vet asylum claims. The third case, diagnosing indigeneity , considers how indigenous councils in southern Africa engage genomic science in their struggle for state recognition and rights. I argue that genomics’ allure of objectivity lends itself to such diagnostic attempts among both powerful and subaltern social actors and suggest that developing “technologies of humility†may provide one safeguard against the increasing uptake of genomics as the authority on human difference.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruha Benjamin, 2015. "The Emperor’s New Genes," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 661(1), pages 130-142, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:661:y:2015:i:1:p:130-142
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716215587859
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    1. David Reich & Kumarasamy Thangaraj & Nick Patterson & Alkes L. Price & Lalji Singh, 2009. "Reconstructing Indian population history," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7263), pages 489-494, September.
    2. Stephan C. Schuster & Webb Miller & Aakrosh Ratan & Lynn P. Tomsho & Belinda Giardine & Lindsay R. Kasson & Robert S. Harris & Desiree C. Petersen & Fangqing Zhao & Ji Qi & Can Alkan & Jeffrey M. Kidd, 2010. "Complete Khoisan and Bantu genomes from southern Africa," Nature, Nature, vol. 463(7283), pages 943-947, February.
    3. Sheila Jasanoff, 2007. "Technologies of humility," Nature, Nature, vol. 450(7166), pages 33-33, November.
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