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Back to the Future? The Emergence of a Geneticized Conceptualization of Race in Sociology

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  • Reanne Frank

Abstract

Discoveries in human molecular genetics have reanimated unresolved debates over the nature of human difference. In this context, the idea that race has a discrete and measurable genetic basis is currently enjoying a resurgence. The return of a biologized construction of race is somewhat surprising because one of the primary pronouncements to come out of the Human Genome Project was one of human genetic similarity (i.e., humans are over 99.9 percent similar at the molecular level). Perhaps even more surprising is that genetically based notions of race have not been restricted to the biomedical sciences but have recently emerged within the social sciences, specifically sociology, to explicitly challenge a socially constructed understanding of race. Drawing on existing critiques, this article describes problems in recent sociological scholarship and the potential role of social scientists in future work occurring at the intersection of race and genetics. I argue that recent scholarly work meant to challenge the notion of race as a social construction actually makes a powerful case for its continued utility.

Suggested Citation

  • Reanne Frank, 2015. "Back to the Future? The Emergence of a Geneticized Conceptualization of Race in Sociology," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 661(1), pages 51-64, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:661:y:2015:i:1:p:51-64
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716215590775
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fee, Margery, 2006. "Racializing narratives: Obesity, diabetes and the "Aboriginal" thrifty genotype," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(12), pages 2988-2997, June.
    2. Reanne Frank, 2014. "The Molecular Reinscription of Race: A Comment on “Genetic Bio-Ancestry and Social Construction of Racial Classification in Social Surveys in the Contemporary United States”," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 51(6), pages 2333-2336, December.
    3. Kahn, J., 2006. "Genes, race, and population: Avoiding a collision of categories," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(11), pages 1965-1970.
    4. Goodman, A.H., 2000. "Why genes don't count (for racial differences in health)," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(11), pages 1699-1702.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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