Demystifying Skin Color and “Race”

Cheng, Keith C.

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79098-5_1

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The problems with race cause scientists who work on skin color to avoid the topic, even if it is the most immediate thing people will ask about 36. It would seem responsible at this time to work toward elimination of the use of such a scientifically imprecise and misused term, and to use the available and more precise term, “ancestry.” It is equally important to recognize, when applicable, environmental factors (such as diet and toxin exposure), ethnicity, nationality, language, and culture.…”

Section: Potential Educational Roles For Fish Genetics In Science Edmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Color in Fish and Humans: Impacts on Science and Society

Cheng

2008

Zebrafish

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As genetic model systems, fish have played a key role in our understanding of a wide range of biological processes, including vertebrate pigmentation. In this review, we focus on one aspect of pigmentation, skin pigmentation, which has been of momentous importance in human history. Two fish models, medaka and zebrafish, played important roles in demystifying skin color and, by extension, the concept of “race.” Related thinking has the potential to make two additional contributions to human welfare. Fish can be used to validate gene candidates from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in what has been called “Systems Genetics.” Because fish are familiar vertebrates, and share genetic mechanisms of skin color with humans, they also have outstanding potential as an educational tool—to “demystify” race, to increase public understanding of the role of model systems and evolution in science, and to enhance appreciation of both genetic and environmental factors that impact human health and society.

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Section: Potential Educational Roles For Fish Genetics In Science Edmentioning

confidence: 99%