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Re: Race (primary definition)
James Howard (phis@sprynet.com)
Sun, 17 Nov 1996 14:31:27 GMT
resolute@earthlink.net (mb) wrote:
>Why do we continue to use "race" to describe human biology? Does the
>concept still carry objective value? Is there a WORKING definition of
>race?
James Howard responds:
We continue to use race, because there are differences in groups of people that
obviously separate them. Since these differences overlap, it is important that
a "working definition" exist. Just below is my definition; it is based on gene
expression. This form of gene expression may be affected by the environment and
interbreeding. It is somewhat plastic, therefore, I think it directly
participated in hominid evolution.
>In article <56k8tv$2is@lal.interserv.com>, phis@sprynet.com (James Howard)
>wrote:
>> Since the human genome is, essentially, shared by all, I suggest the
>differences in race result from differences in gene expression. I suggest
>testosterone is the molecule that causes major differences in gene
>expression, that result in the differences described as "race." Humans
>and chimpanzees exhibit major differences in testosterone; human "races"
>exhibit major differences in testosterone. Changes in testosterone, along
>with only slight differences in genes, will produce the appearance of
>different species of hominids over time.
>> James Howard
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