Race Decoded

The Genomic Fight for Social Justice

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Race Decoded by Catherine Bliss, Stanford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Catherine Bliss ISBN: 9780804782050
Publisher: Stanford University Press Publication: May 23, 2012
Imprint: Stanford University Press Language: English
Author: Catherine Bliss
ISBN: 9780804782050
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Publication: May 23, 2012
Imprint: Stanford University Press
Language: English

In 2000, with the success of the Human Genome Project, scientists declared the death of race in biology and medicine. But within five years, many of these same scientists had reversed course and embarked upon a new hunt for the biological meaning of race. Drawing on personal interviews and life stories, Race Decoded takes us into the world of elite genome scientists—including Francis Collins, director of the NIH; Craig Venter, the first person to create a synthetic genome; and Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence, among others—to show how and why they are formulating new ways of thinking about race.

In this original exploration, Catherine Bliss reveals a paradigm shift, both at the level of science and society, from colorblindness to racial consciousness. Scientists have been fighting older understandings of race in biology while simultaneously promoting a new grand-scale program of minority inclusion. In selecting research topics or considering research design, scientists routinely draw upon personal experience of race to push the public to think about race as a biosocial entity, and even those of the most privileged racial and social backgrounds incorporate identity politics in the scientific process. Though individual scientists may view their positions differently—whether as a black civil rights activist or a white bench scientist—all stakeholders in the scientific debates are drawing on memories of racial discrimination to fashion a science-based activism to fight for social justice.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 2000, with the success of the Human Genome Project, scientists declared the death of race in biology and medicine. But within five years, many of these same scientists had reversed course and embarked upon a new hunt for the biological meaning of race. Drawing on personal interviews and life stories, Race Decoded takes us into the world of elite genome scientists—including Francis Collins, director of the NIH; Craig Venter, the first person to create a synthetic genome; and Spencer Wells, National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence, among others—to show how and why they are formulating new ways of thinking about race.

In this original exploration, Catherine Bliss reveals a paradigm shift, both at the level of science and society, from colorblindness to racial consciousness. Scientists have been fighting older understandings of race in biology while simultaneously promoting a new grand-scale program of minority inclusion. In selecting research topics or considering research design, scientists routinely draw upon personal experience of race to push the public to think about race as a biosocial entity, and even those of the most privileged racial and social backgrounds incorporate identity politics in the scientific process. Though individual scientists may view their positions differently—whether as a black civil rights activist or a white bench scientist—all stakeholders in the scientific debates are drawing on memories of racial discrimination to fashion a science-based activism to fight for social justice.

More books from Stanford University Press

Cover of the book Bad Rabbi by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Public Universities and Regional Growth by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Resources for Reform by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Integrating Regions by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Our Conrad by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book An Economic and Demographic History of São Paulo, 1850-1950 by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Empires of Coal by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book The Stranger and the Chinese Moral Imagination by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Arresting Cinema by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Making Their Place by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Entrepreneurial Finance by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book The Fire and the Tale by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book The Virtues of Abandon by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book The Long Space by Catherine Bliss
Cover of the book Bernie Madoff and the Crisis by Catherine Bliss
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy