Related Experiment Videos
Race, ancestry, and genes: implications for defining disease risk
Rick A Kittles1, Kenneth M Weiss
1National Human Genome Center, Howard University, Washington, D.C. 20060, USA. rkittles@howard.edu
Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
|October 7, 2003
Summary
Race can be a useful tool in genetic research for disease association studies. However, it
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Population Genetics
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Geneticists aim to identify genes linked to diseases, with "race" often considered relevant due to perceived shared ancestry and genetic risk factors.
- Human genetic variation arises from long-term population history, with samples reflecting this history providing statistical insights into shared genetic variation or "ancestry."
- The concept of "race" is complex, difficult to define rigorously, and politically charged due to its sociocultural components, which have historically led to misuse and misleading categorizations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the legitimate uses of "race" as a concept in identifying disease-associated genes.
- To emphasize the critical need to distinguish between "race" as a statistical risk factor and actual causal genetic variables in genetic research.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the role of "race" in genetic studies.
- Examination of the interplay between population history, genetic variation, and disease association.
- Distinguishing statistical risk factors from causal genetic elements.
Main Results:
- "Race" can serve as a legitimate, albeit complex, tool in the search for disease-associated genes.
- The utility of "race" in genetics is often confounded by deeply intertwined cultural and biological factors.
- A clear distinction is necessary between "race" as a proxy for genetic risk and specific causal genetic variables.
Conclusions:
- While "race" can be a useful heuristic in genetic research, its application requires careful consideration of confounding factors.
- Future genetic studies must rigorously differentiate between "race" as a statistical indicator and underlying biological causality to avoid misinterpretation and misuse.
- Understanding the complex relationship between population history, genetic variation, and disease is crucial for advancing genetic medicine responsibly.