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Racial taxonomy in genomics

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  • Bliss, Catherine

Abstract

This article examines the reflexive, biosocial nature of genomic meaning making around race, drawing on discourse analysis of 732 articles on genomics and race published from the years 1986–2010, in-depth interviews with 36 of the world’s most elite genomics researchers, interviews with 15 critics, policymakers, and trainees involved in debates over race, and participant observation at a core genotyping facility that specializes in ancestry estimation. I reveal how biomedical researchers identify with, value, and make sense of the taxonomies they construct. My analysis goes beyond a consideration of instrumental rationales to analyze the experiential and political motivations that shape how researchers get involved in racial ethical dilemmas. I theorize taxonomic practice as a reflexive form of biosociality, a conscious shaping of social notions about biology and race to produce a future that researchers themselves want to live in. I demonstrate how reflexive biosociality paradoxically leads researchers to advance social explanations for race while investing in genomics as a solution to racial quandaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Bliss, Catherine, 2011. "Racial taxonomy in genomics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(7), pages 1019-1027.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:73:y:2011:i:7:p:1019-1027
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.07.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226750248 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Hunt, Linda M. & Megyesi, Mary S., 2008. "The ambiguous meanings of the racial/ethnic categories routinely used in human genetics research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 349-361, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bradby, Hannah, 2012. "Race, ethnicity and health: The costs and benefits of conceptualising racism and ethnicity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(6), pages 955-958.
    2. Catherine Bliss, 2015. "Science and Struggle," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 661(1), pages 86-108, September.

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