Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNAA geneticist and internationally recognized anti-racism educator provides a powerful, science-based rebuttal to common fallacies about human difference. Well-meaning physicians, parents, and even scientists today often spread misinformation about what biology can and can’t tell us about our bodies, minds, and identities. In this accessible, myth-busting book, geneticist Shoumita Dasgupta draws on the latest science to correct common misconceptions about how much of our social identities are actually based in genetics. Dasgupta weaves together history, current affairs, and cutting-edge science to break down how genetic concepts are misused and how we can approach scientific evidence in a socially responsible way. With a unifying and intersectional approach disentangling biology from bigotry, the book moves beyond race and gender to incorporate categories like sexual orientation, disability, and class. Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins is an invaluable, empowering resource for biologists, geneticists, science educators, and anyone working against bias in their community. |
Contents
| 9 | |
The Flawed Premise of Genetic Essentialism | 16 |
Biology of Human PopulationsRace Ethnicity | 24 |
Biology of Human PopulationsSex and Gender | 40 |
Pregnancy Bodily Autonomy and Reproductive | 54 |
Disability | 67 |
What Genetics Doesnt Fully ExplainSociobehavioral | 88 |
Contemporary Eugenics and Its Historical Roots | 101 |
Other editions - View all
Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA Shoumita Dasgupta Limited preview - 2025 |
Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA Shoumita Dasgupta No preview available - 2025 |
Common terms and phrases
ableism abortion achondroplasia Adapted from National alleles American associated Avedisian School behavioral bias biases BiDil biological Boston Medical Center Boston University Boston University Chobanian Boston University Medical carrier child Chobanian & Avedisian clinical CRISPR cystic fibrosis deaf differences disability disease embryo ethnicity Eugenics folks gametes genetic conditions Genetic Counselors genetic essentialism genetic essentialist genetic testing Genetics and Genomics Genetics in Medicine genome editing Genome Research Institute genotyping gestational carrier harm hormones human genetic variation Human Genome Research identify impact individuals Institutes of Health intersex Medical Group 2021 National Cancer Institute National Human Genome National Institutes newborn screening one’s outcomes parents percent person polygenic Population Descriptors potential pregnancy prenatal Punnett square race race-based racial racism reproductive Research Institute 2022b result School of Medicine scientific scientists sequence short stature sickle cell social studies syndrome term testosterone tion traits typical University Medical Group