The standardization of race and ethnicity in biomedical science editorials and UK biobanks

Smart, Andrew and Tutton, Richard and Martin, Paul and Ellison, George T. H. and Ashcroft, Richard (2008) The standardization of race and ethnicity in biomedical science editorials and UK biobanks. Social Studies of Science, 38 (3). pp. 407-423. ISSN 0306-3127

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Abstract

As the search for human genetic variation has become a priority for biomedical science, debates have resurfaced about the use of race and ethnicity as scientific classifications. In this paper we consider the relationship between race, ethnicity and genetics, using insights from science and technology studies (STS) about processes of classification and standardization. We examine how leading biomedical science journals attempted to standardize the classifications of race and ethnicity, and analyse how a sample of UK genetic scientists used the concepts in their research. Our content analysis of 11 editorials and related guidelines reveals variations in the guidance on offer, and it appears that there has been a shift from defining the concepts to prescribing methodological processes for classification. In qualitative interviews with 17 scientists, the majority reported that they had adopted sociopolitical classification schemes from state bureaucracy (for example, the UK Census) for practical reasons, although some scientists used alternative classifications that they justified on apparently methodological grounds. The different responses evident in the editorials and interviews can be understood as reflecting the balance of flexibility and stability that motivate standardization processes. We argue that, although a genetic concept of race and ethnicity is unlikely to wholly supplant a socio-political one, the adoption of census classifications into biomedical research is an alignment of state bureaucracy and science that could have significant consequences.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Social Studies of Science
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300
Subjects:
?? CLASSIFICATIONETHNICITYGENETICSPOPULATIONRACESTANDARDIZATIONCLINICAL-PRACTICEHEALTHMEDICINEGENETICSCLASSIFICATIONSGENOMICSGENESHISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCEHISTORYSOCIAL SCIENCES(ALL) ??
ID Code:
51390
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Nov 2011 09:51
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
22 Sep 2023 00:14