Why can't ‘race’ be biologically defined by genetic differences?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks why ‘race’ cannot be biologically defined by genetic differences, and presents multiple answers to evaluate.
Regarding the first statement: 'Variation between regions is significantly smaller than that within a region.' This captures a core finding from population genetics: most genetic diversity exists within any given regional or ethnic group, and differences between regional populations are relatively small in comparison. In practical terms, two individuals from different regions can be more genetically similar to each other than to someone from their own region, but the overall pattern is that within-region variation predominates. Therefore this statement supports the idea that rigid biological race categories do not map cleanly onto genetic differences.
Turning to the second statement: 'race is a social, rather than biological, category.' This is a widely accepted view in anthropology and genetics. While human genetic variation exists, it does not align with traditional racial classifications in a discrete, biologically meaningful way. Social constructs of race reflect historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors, not clear-cut genetic boundaries. Hence this statement correctly emphasizes that race is not a robust biological taxonomy.
Why these points matter together: if most genetic variation is within regions and race is primarily a social construct, there isn’t a solid biological basis for dividing people into races based on genetics. This undermines any claim that race can be defined by distinct genetic differences. However, if one were to imagine counterarguments, they typically rely on oversimplified interpretations of population structure or on assuming clear boundaries where gradients exist; such views ignore the extensive overlap and clinal variation seen across human populations, reinforcing why race is not a strict biological category.
In summary, both statements correctly reflect why race cannot be biologically defined by genetic differences: genetic diversity is largely within regions rather than between them, and race functions more as a social construct than as a precise biological taxonomy.

BIOL 1001 (090-095) Unit 3.3 Learning Quiz - Modern human evolution

Why can't ‘race’ be biologically defined by genetic differences?

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