Changes for page The Existence of Race

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34	34	One striking genetic finding is that sub-Saharan Africans form the most divergent branch of the human family tree. Worldwide DNA surveys consistently show that *Africans (especially indigenous sub-Saharan groups) have the greatest genetic distance from all other human populations*. This is consistent with the “Out of Africa” model: African lineages are the oldest and most diverse, whereas non-African populations stem from one subset of Africans that migrated out 50–70,000 years ago, acquiring additional differentiation subsequently. After the primary African vs. non-African split, the next major genetic differentiation is often observed between Oceanian (Australo-Melanesian) peoples and the rest of Eurasians. Other continental groups – Europeans, East Asians, Native Americans, etc. – cluster intermediate to those extremes. In essence, humans have a *tree-like genetic structure* with real branches, rather than being a uniform blend.{{footnote}}Jared Taylor, "The Biological Reality of Race," *American Renaissance*, October 1999. Available at: [[https://www.amren.com/archives/back-issues/october-1999/#:~:text=If%20we%20return%20to%20the,fascinating%20topic%20for%20another%20day]]{{/footnote}}
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37		-It is true (as often cited) that within-group genetic variation is large: roughly 85% of human genetic variation exists *within* local populations, and only 15% between major races. However, this fact – first highlighted by Richard Lewontin in 1972 – does not mean races are meaningless, and it can be misleading if taken out of context. The key rebuttal is known as “Lewontin’s Fallacy.” Lewontin had calculated variation one gene at a time, finding each gene’s differences small between groups. But later statisticians (such as A. W. F. Edwards){{footnote}}Edwards, A.W\.F. *“Human genetic diversity: Lewontin’s fallacy.”* BioEssays 25: 798–801 (2003) – (Explains why high within-race variation doesn’t negate the ability to classify races by genes; importance of correlation structure). Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bies.10315{{/footnote}} pointed out that while any single gene varies mostly within groups, the correlations among many genes allow nearly perfect classification of individuals into their population of origin. As Edwards noted, *Lewontin’s argument “ignores the fact that most of the information that distinguishes populations is hidden in the correlation structure of the data and not simply in the variation of individual factors.”* When many loci are considered together, distinct genetic signatures emerge for different races. In practical terms, while two individuals from different races may share certain genes or traits, when you look at hundreds or thousands of genetic markers simultaneously, the overall pattern reveals their differing ancestry.{{footnote}}Anonymous, "Race is biologically non-existent — I’m not making it up," *Tumblr Blog*, 2014. Available at: [[https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=An%20argument%20is%20that%20there,it%20is%20fallacious%20because%20it]]{{/footnote}}
	37	+It is true (as often cited) that within-group genetic variation is large: roughly 85% of human genetic variation exists *within* local populations, and only 15% between major races. However, this fact – first highlighted by Richard Lewontin in 1972 – does not mean races are meaningless, and it can be misleading if taken out of context. The key rebuttal is known as “[[Lewontin’s Fallacy>>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12879450/]].” Lewontin had calculated variation one gene at a time, finding each gene’s differences small between groups. But later statisticians (such as A. W. F. Edwards){{footnote}}Edwards, A.W\.F. *“Human genetic diversity: Lewontin’s fallacy.”* BioEssays 25: 798–801 (2003) – (Explains why high within-race variation doesn’t negate the ability to classify races by genes; importance of correlation structure). Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bies.10315{{/footnote}} pointed out that while any single gene varies mostly within groups, the correlations among many genes allow nearly perfect classification of individuals into their population of origin. As Edwards noted, *Lewontin’s argument “ignores the fact that most of the information that distinguishes populations is hidden in the correlation structure of the data and not simply in the variation of individual factors.”* When many loci are considered together, distinct genetic signatures emerge for different races. In practical terms, while two individuals from different races may share certain genes or traits, when you look at hundreds or thousands of genetic markers simultaneously, the overall pattern reveals their differing ancestry.{{footnote}}Anonymous, "Race is biologically non-existent — I’m not making it up," *Tumblr Blog*, 2014. Available at: [[https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=An%20argument%20is%20that%20there,it%20is%20fallacious%20because%20it]]{{/footnote}}
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39	39	Moreover, the level of between-group genetic differentiation humans *do* have (about 10–15% variation partitioned between races) is not biologically trivial. In population genetics, a statistic called F<sub>ST</sub> measures the genetic differentiation among populations. Humans’ inter-group F<sub>ST</sub> values (on the order of 0.1–0.2 between continental groups) are comparable to or greater than those seen between subspecies in many other animals. In fact, one analysis showed humans have *higher* genetic differentiation and heterozygosity than some species that are formally divided into multiple subspecies. For example, many mammal and bird species are split into subspecies for far smaller genetic gaps. Thus, by zoological criteria, it is reasonable to view major human populations as akin to subspecies.{{footnote}}Anonymous, "Race is biologically non-existent — I’m not making it up," *Tumblr Blog*, 2014. Available at: [[https://someofmybestfriendsarewhite.tumblr.com/post/80846397928/race-is-biologically-non-existent-im-not-making#:~:text=of%20the%20framework%20of%20race,of%20potential%20human%20phylogenetic%20species]]{{/footnote}}
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