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Racial and ethnic categories in biomedical research: there is no baby in the bathwater

Mildred K Cho1

  • 1Stanford University, USA.

The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics : a Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics
|December 6, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Racial categories in medicine are problematic due to historical discrimination. While race has biological links, its undefined nature makes it an unreliable proxy for genetics or biology in research.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical research
  • Medical ethics
  • Sociology of science

Background:

  • The historical use of racial categories in US biomedicine is complex.
  • Racial classifications have been historically intertwined with social hierarchies and discrimination.
  • Despite concerns, some advocate retaining race as a category due to potential correlations with biological traits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the utility of racial categories in biomedical research and clinical practice.
  • To examine the historical context of race, discrimination, and scientific justification.
  • To argue against the use of race as a proxy for biological or genetic characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of historical and contemporary literature on race in biomedicine.
  • Examination of the concept of "race" in relation to biological and genetic diversity.
  • Philosophical and ethical argumentation regarding the definition and application of racial categories.

Main Results:

  • "Race" lacks a precise and consistent definition, exhibiting significant fluidity.
  • The historical application of racial categories has been linked to social stratification and discrimination.
  • The correlation between race and specific biological or genetic markers is often overstated or imprecise.

Conclusions:

  • Race is too undefined and fluid to serve as a reliable proxy for biology or genetics in biomedical contexts.
  • The continued use of race as a category risks perpetuating historical biases and discrimination.
  • Biomedical research should prioritize more precise biological and genetic measures over broad racial classifications.

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