Science Daily: Genome Scan Shows Polynesians Have Little Genetic Relationship To Melanesians
A delegate emailed this article to the chairs about a very interesting and pertinent article concerning the first topic. I’m getting very encouraged by some of the more exemplary examples of researching shown by some of you. Keep up the great work!
ScienceDaily (Jan. 23, 2008 ) — The origins and current genetic relationships of Pacific Islanders have generated interest and controversy for many decades. Now, a new comprehensive genetic study of almost 1,000 individuals has revealed that Polynesians and Micronesians have almost no genetic relation to Melanesians, and that groups that live in the islands of Melanesia are remarkably diverse…
This article is a prime example of how genome identification on indigenous people can be used. While the discovery stated in this article may not lead to any harmful effects later on, the problem still arises of what may happen when two races are found to be identical. A hate relationship may develop as one side refuses to acknowledge the other. Bitterness may brew between two different groups and prejudice could spread. Genetic identification is an issue of varying opinions that need to see the problems from all sides of the spectrum and determine the route that will allow science to prevail but danger to dissipate.
- Bryan
February 21st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
This article really reminds me of the history during the Nazi Reich of the experimentation on Jewish peoples, gypsies, homosexuals, etc. to try to genetically identify an inferiority or difference from the typical Germans.
Although, of course, this case with the Polynesians does not have the same direct motives like those of the doctors during that time, I completely agree in the aspect that when one can clearly identifies scientific differences between races prejudice will inevitably happen.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am
This is a prime example of what caused the Rwandan Genocide. A little over ten years ago, nearly 1 million people were killed over the course of one-hundred days. The Hutu majority planned a mass killing of the Tutsi minority. Government supported propaganda took place in attempt to ‘demonize’ the Tutsi minority group. An organization called, ‘Hope: Rwanda’ reports the atrocities. “The murderers used machetes, clubs, guns and any blunt tool they could find to inflict as much pain on their victim as possible. No Tutsi was exempt. The genocidaires often mutilated their victims before killing them. Victims had their tendons cut so they could not run away; they were tied and beaten. They were made to wait helplessly to be clubbed, or cut by machete.”
From this, we see the potential affects of what can happen when differing genetics coexist. In the Rwandan Genocide, the Tutsi minority was able to be identified by the Hutus because of distinct facial features. It is, however, possible for two genetic make ups to coexist. The key to this is creating equality amongst citizens. The problem with the Rwandan genocide was that it was government backed. In China, all of our citizens are equal before the law.
- People’s Republic of China