Scientific Racism

Overview

Scientific racism refers to the misuse of science to propagate false beliefs that certain racial and ethnic groups are superior to others. It has historically influenced racial bias and discrimination in science and research.

Key Points

• Historical Context:
  • Prominent in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Leading scientists and institutions supported ideologies that were later disproven by the mid-20th century.
• Persistent Issue:
  • Despite being largely discredited, scientific racism still exists.
  • Constant vigilance is needed to prevent its recurrence in scientific fields.

Important Figures

• Vence L. Bonham Jr., J.D.:
  • Acting Deputy Director, Office of the Director at NHGRI.
  • Involved in addressing and monitoring scientific racism.

Related Concepts

• Genetic Discrimination
• Eugenics
• Race
• Genome

Resources

• Educational resources and policy issues in genomics are available on the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) website.

Contact and Updates

• NHGRI offers subscriptions for updates in genomic research.
• Follow NHGRI on social media for more information and developments.

This summary provides insight into the concept of scientific racism, highlighting its historical roots, ongoing challenges, and the importance of vigilance in scientific research.