Agustín Fuentes, an anthropologist at Princeton University, dives into the intriguing world of DNA testing and race. He explores why these tests, like those from 23andMe, mislead users into thinking they accurately reveal racial identities. Fuentes emphasizes race as a social construct, detailing how simplistic interpretations of genetic data overlook the complex nature of human genetics. He shares surprising truths about ancestry that challenge common perceptions, urging listeners to rethink how they connect their genetics to identity.
Race is a social construct — so why are DNA test kits like the ones from 23andMe coded like they reveal biological fact about the user's racial makeup? This episode, Short Wave Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber talks to anthropologist Agustín Fuentes about the limits of at-home genetic tests and how misinformation about race and biology can come into play.
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