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Do genetic ancestry tests increase racial essentialism? Findings from a randomized controlled trial
Wendy D Roth1,2, Şule Yaylacı1,2,3, Kaitlyn Jaffe2
1Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
Plos One
|January 30, 2020
Summary
Genetic ancestry testing impacts racial essentialism differently based on an individual's genetic knowledge. Those with high genetic knowledge showed decreased essentialism, while those with low knowledge showed increased essentialism after testing.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Genetics
- Psychology
Background:
- Genetic ancestry testing is a rapidly growing industry with significant societal implications.
- Concerns exist regarding its influence on racial perceptions, with potential to either essentialize or deconstruct race.
- Racial essentialism is linked to racism, making its study crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between genetic ancestry testing and racial essentialism.
- To explore how genetic knowledge moderates the effects of ancestry testing on racial views.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving Native-born White Americans.
- Participants were assigned to either receive genetic ancestry testing (Admixture and mtDNA) or no testing.
- Secondary analyses examined the role of genetic knowledge and specific ancestry results.
Main Results:
- No significant average effect of genetic ancestry testing on racial essentialism was found.
- Individuals with high genetic knowledge showed a significant decline in essentialism post-testing.
- Individuals with low genetic knowledge exhibited an increase in essentialism post-testing.
- Specific reported ancestries did not influence changes in essentialist beliefs.
Conclusions:
- The impact of genetic ancestry testing on racial essentialism is contingent upon the individual's existing understanding of genetics.
- Interpreting the link between genes and race is key to understanding the effects of these tests.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of genetic interpretation and its societal impact.
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