Scientists Find A DNA Change That Accounts For White Skin

[jennie]

Scientists Find A DNA Change That Accounts For White Skin

By Rick Weiss

Washington Post Staff Writer

Friday, December 16, 2005; Page A01

Scientists said yesterday that they have discovered a tiny genetic mutation that largely explains the first appearance of white skin in humans tens of thousands of years ago, a finding that helps solve one of biology's most enduring mysteries and illuminates one of humanity's greatest sources of strife.

The work suggests that the skin-whitening mutation occurred by chance in a single individual after the first human exodus from Africa, when all people were brown-skinned. That person's offspring apparently thrived as humans moved northward into what is now Europe, helping to give rise to the lightest of the world's races.

Biotechnology

Researchers and regulators are reshaping the landscape of science, medicine and health, engendering hope -- and disquiet -- for the future of humanity.

Leaders of the study, at Penn State University, warned against interpreting the finding as a discovery of "the race gene." Race is a vaguely defined biological, social and political concept, they noted, and skin color is only part of what race is -- and is not.

In fact, several scientists said, the new work shows just how small a biological difference is reflected by skin color. The newly found mutation involves a change of just one letter of DNA code out of the 3.1 billion letters in the human genome -- the complete instructions for making a human being.

"It's a major finding in a very sensitive area," said Stephen Oppenheimer, an expert in anthropological genetics at Oxford University, who was not involved in the work. "Almost all the differences used to differentiate populations from around the world really are skin deep."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5121501728.html

........................................

Interesting, not surprising, minor genetic mutations account for many normal human differences.

There is an NFB short animated film called "Evolution" that follows some possible courses of combinations of genetic mutation/selection/adaptation to environmental changes ... mutant and socially rejected web-footed fowl survive the floods and become ducks, for example. Cute stuff, good for kids and adults... if I could only find it.

I am not really trying to be controversial (who put this link in my google?! I think it is out of my control.).

I respect that this is not a topic of interest to some people, but it is to others.

It affected me to read that the genetic source of my race had been found, though it has been defended for some time that we all came from Africa, it is still nice to know where the paths diverged ... but what the hell were they thinking going north?? Probably it was warm then. Vitamin D absorption, our genetic mutation that may have allowed us to adapt to the north.

We are all a human family, and I understand better the Haudenosaunee sign off:

"all my relations"

... it does mean me too.

Edited October 3, 2007 by jennie

[jazzer]

This will be great news for the Klan.

[jennie]

This will be great news for the Klan.

What, that they are genetic mutations of Africans?

Or will they see it as a 'definitive whiteness'.

I wonder how many kkk are creationists?

That would bypass the issue of evolution for them wouldn't it?

Edited October 3, 2007 by jennie

[sunsettommy]

What, that they are genetic mutations of Africans?

Or will they see it as a 'definitive whiteness'.

I wonder how many kkk are creationists?

That would bypass the issue of evolution for them wouldn't it?

No it will only prove that Africans are OUR ancestors.

Racism is plain dumb since we are all humans.

[Leafless]

I wonder how many kkk are creationists?

NONE.

The invocation of God and the Bible in support of racism continues with modern hate groups in the US. Aryan Nations, which also calls itself the Church of Jesus Christ Christian, begins its web site by proclaiming "Praise Yahweh" and its intention to "serve the Lord of Glory and His Holy Race". The American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan note that only those of "Christian faith" can be members, and asks every new recruit "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" The White Camelia Knights of the Ku Klux Klan declare that "at some point God's people must take action in the defense of our Christian, racial and political beliefs". The Camelia KKK website also explicitly states "We base our beliefs on our Biblical interpretations, not ignorance, superstition or blind hatred."

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/2437/nazis.htm

[AngusThermopyle]

Now that is very interesting.

I agree, its cool knowing where the races diverged, or started to anyway. I imagine some will find it offensive rather than interesting, that cant be helped though. It is information that has value and as such is worthy of discussion, actually I think it could lead to a very interesting, if sensitive, discussion.

[ScottSA]

Now that is very interesting.

I agree, its cool knowing where the races diverged, or started to anyway. I imagine some will find it offensive rather than interesting, that cant be helped though. It is information that has value and as such is worthy of discussion, actually I think it could lead to a very interesting, if sensitive, discussion.

That's the trouble with discussions like this...it takes about ten seconds before the mud starts slinging. To me it matters not one whit why or how skin got white, black, brown or a light shade of turquoise; what matters is that it seems to matter to everyone, whether they are the Klan or the Black Panthers or Han nationalists, or the worst offenders of all: lilly white liberals who treat it as the issue that dare not speak its name, but seem more preoccupied by it than anyone else. Even though they hide their preoccupation with it behind loud pious denials and self-flagellation.

What matters is that race is the ultimate division among humans, the retreat of last resort, more deeply felt than ethnicity, culture, and even religion. And that is something that will increasingly concern caucasians as we become a minority in the west and subject to the hatreds and silly but learned envy of others.

[jennie]

That's the trouble with discussions like this...it takes about ten seconds before the mud starts slinging. To me it matters not one whit why or how skin got white, black, brown or a light shade of turquoise; what matters is that it seems to matter to everyone, whether they are the Klan or the Black Panthers or Han nationalists, or the worst offenders of all: lilly white liberals who treat it as the issue that dare not speak its name, but seem more preoccupied by it than anyone else. Even though they hide their preoccupation with it behind loud pious denials and self-flagellation.

You may be right. Honest assimilationist racists aren't afraid to identify themselves these days, while others wear politi-camo and hand out money.

What matters is that race is the ultimate division among humans, the retreat of last resort, more deeply felt than ethnicity, culture, and even religion. And that is something that will increasingly concern caucasians as we become a minority in the west and subject to the hatreds and silly but learned envy of others.

I don't think we should project our feelings onto others.

We all have to live here.

The sooner we forget about hatred as an option, the more peaceful we can be. Sounds good, eh? RElax, mon.

(We don't HAVE a singular white culture, cos you sure ain't part of mine!)

Edited October 3, 2007 by jennie

[ScottSA]

...assimilationist racists...

Any point in asking you to try to justify your ridiculous attempted correlation here? I mean, I'm pretty much both of them by most liberal standards, but I know a good many people who don't fall under any definition of "racist", yet are assimilist. I also know "racists" who are not assimilist. Because one belongs to one group hardly entitles them to membership in the other. Since the two concepts are almost polar opposites, I'd be very interested in hearing your response.

Edited October 3, 2007 by ScottSA

[Sulaco]

No it will only prove that Africans are OUR ancestors.

Racism is plain dumb since we are all humans.

That's just the kind of platitude that makes me cringe. This is what we call enlightened? Australopithecus are also our "ancestors" - think before you speak.

Sorry - just read Jerry Galinda's collection of bromides in another thread. Why do these stupid slogans obscure intelligent discussion so often? Answer: most people are kinda dumb.

Edited October 3, 2007 by Sulaco

[Sulaco]

assimilationist racists

Oxymoron?

[jennie]

Any point in asking you to try to justify your ridiculous attempted correlation here? I mean, I'm pretty much both of them by most liberal standards, but I know a good many people who don't fall under any definition of "racist", yet are assimilist. I also know "racists" who are not assimilist. Because one belongs to one group hardly entitles them to membership in the other. Since the two concepts are almost polar opposites, I'd be very interested in hearing your response.

Some racists, it seems to me, choose not to accept or like people of some other races but might tolerate them so long as they ... assimilate and act like the dominant culture, minimize or deny their own culture, etc. That is what I intended it to mean.

Edited October 4, 2007 by jennie

[ScottSA]

Some racists, it seems to me, choose not to accept or like people of some other races but might tolerate them so long as they ... assimilate and act like the dominant culture, minimize or deny their own culture, etc. That is what I intended it to mean.

Oh like refering to herds of wild 'circus elephants' in Kenya, because some elephants are in circuses? I get it. But what if people are completely nuetral to other races and want them to assimilate? Are they racist assimilationists too? What if they even like other races and want them to assimilate?

[M.Dancer]

There is nothing inherintly wriong with assimilation. If you want to get ahead, learn the language, understand the cultural nuances, move along.....I mean really...how many succesful chaps from papua new guinea are still canibals?

[jennie]

There is nothing inherintly wriong with assimilation. If you want to get ahead, learn the language, understand the cultural nuances, move along.....I mean really...how many succesful chaps from papua new guinea are still canibals?

I agree, and a certain amount of assimilation is not wrong. What is wrong, in my mind, is expecting people to give up their culture entirely. That is the key point: It is not healthy for people to deny their heritage, and it is thus foolish to pressure them to do so.

[ScottSA]

I agree, and a certain amount of assimilation is not wrong. What is wrong, in my mind, is expecting people to give up their culture entirely. That is the key point: It is not healthy for people to deny their heritage, and it is thus foolish to pressure them to do so.

What do you consider "culture?"

[M.Dancer]

It is not healthy for people to deny their heritage, and it is thus foolish to pressure them to do so.

I'm not aware of any health studies that support that notion.

[ScottSA]

I'm not aware of any health studies that support that notion.

Its an oral tradition health study.

[jennie]

I'm not aware of any health studies that support that notion.

There is research on 'cultural continuity' that shows its importance in reducing intergenerational conflict (Korean-Canadians) and reducing adolescent suicide (Indigenous).

It is never appropriate to put someone in the position of having to deny their culture to fit into a social clique. It only emphasizes the inferiority complex of Canadians and reduces our health as a society. If we are confident of ourselves, we have no need to try to diminish others.

[ScottSA]

There is research on 'cultural continuity' that shows its importance in reducing intergenerational conflict (Korean-Canadians) and reducing adolescent suicide (Indigenous).

It is never appropriate to put someone in the position of having to deny their culture to fit into a social clique. It only emphasizes the inferiority complex of Canadians and reduces our health as a society. If we are confident of ourselves, we have no need to try to diminish others.

This is pure pap. I don't recall a rash of adolescent jewish suicides in Germany during the events leading up to 1938, and they hed their culture a tad more "denied" than Indians do today. Plus, they didn't have everything paid for by the state. "Intergenerational conflict is hardly confined to Korean Americans, and just because the older generation wants to hunt neighbourhood dogs for the soup pot and the kids don't, is hardly a good argument for maintaining the custom of dog soup when they come here.

[jennie]

This is pure pap. I don't recall a rash of adolescent jewish suicides in Germany during the events leading up to 1938, and they hed their culture a tad more "denied" than Indians do today. Plus, they didn't have everything paid for by the state. "Intergenerational conflict is hardly confined to Korean Americans, and just because the older generation wants to hunt neighbourhood dogs for the soup pot and the kids don't, is hardly a good argument for maintaining the custom of dog soup when they come here.

I would not expect a grouch like you to understand. What is your culture Scott? Do you have one?

[ScottSA]

I would not expect a grouch like you to understand. What is your culture Scott? Do you have one?

Yes. It involves kilts, oatmeal, sheep's intestines, and loud discordant moose calls out of the back end of a sheep's bladder. Somehow I managed not to bludgeon my parents to death or sniff gasoline as a result of being "deprived" of it.

[M.Dancer]

Yes. It involves kilts, oatmeal, sheep's intestines, and loud discordant moose calls out of the back end of a sheep's bladder. Somehow I managed not to bludgeon my parents to death or sniff gasoline as a result of being "deprived" of it.

You were deprived of it?

You poor colonised bastard....wha hae they din ta ya? Di tha nae gie ye a wee taste of uisgebeatha a bed? Di they nae wipe the parraitch from your visage before Kirk?

Facking Sassaanchs!

Edited October 4, 2007 by M.Dancer

[ScottSA]

You were deprived of it?

You poor colonised bastard....wha hae they din ta ya? Di tha nae gie ye a wee taste of uisgebeatha a bed? Di they nae wipe the parraitch from your visage before Kirk?

Facking Sassaanchs!

Achhh...hide yer whist. Thas not ail they did y'know. Then they rubbed me ain a boot and sent me to ye bloody prrairies.

[M.Dancer]

Nurse.....three units of Gaelic Culture, STAT!

Scots Wha Hae

Scots wha hae wae Wallace bled,

Scots wham Bruce hae aftimes led,

Welcome tae your gory bed,

Or tae victory

Nows the day and nows the hour,

See the front o battle lour,

See approach proud Edwards power,

Chains and slavery

Wha will be a traitor knave,

Wha can fill a cowards grave

Wha sae base as be a slave,

let him turn and flee,

Wha for Scotlands king and law,

Freedoms sword will strongly draw,

Freeman stand and freeman fa,

let him follow me.

By oppressions woes and pains,

By your sons in servile chains,

We will drain our dearest veins,

But they shall be free.

Lay the proud usurpers low,

Tyrants fall in every foe,

Libertys in every blow,

let us do or dee.

----------

Where ha' ye been a' the day?

Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

Saw ye him that' far awa'

Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

On his head a bonnet blue

Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

Tartan plaid and Hielan' trews

Bonnie laddie, Hielan' laddie

When he drew his gude braid-sword

Then he gave his royal word.

Frae the field he ne'er wad flee

Wi' his friends wad live or dee.

Geordie sits in Charlie's chair

But I think he'll no bide there.

Charlie yet shall mount the throne

Weel ye ken it is his own

Comin Thro' The Rye.

Chorus.

O Jenny's a' weet, poor body,

Jenny's seldom dry:

She draigl't a' her petticoatie,

Comin thro' the rye!

Comin thro' the rye, poor body,

Comin thro' the rye,

She draigl't a' her petticoatie,

Comin thro' the rye!

Gin a body meet a body

Comin thro' the rye,

Gin a body kiss a body,

Need a body cry?

Gin a body meet a body

Comin thro' the glen,

Gin a body kiss a body,

Need the warld ken?

Gin a body meet a body

Comin thro' the grain,

Gin a body kiss a body,

The thing's a body's ain

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