Race-Ancestry-Genetics

Through public engagement and education initiatives, ASHG strives to be a reliable and sought-after source for public information on the benefits of human genetics and genomics research. This information should be accessible to anyone with an interest in the field. While many people enrich their knowledge of this field through ASHG’s Discover Genetics resources, classrooms are often the first place that introduces someone... Read More

To chart a path toward an equitable future, ASHG’s Board of Directors considered and approved in April 2021 an updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force Action Plan that recognizes a key strategic focus area, which is to acknowledge and reckon with a history of past harms linked to racism, eugenics, or other systemic forms... Read More

ASHG denounces the misuse of genetics to feed racist ideologies, and affirms that the research community should be clear about genetic knowledge related to ancestry and genomic diversity. Any attempt to use genetics to rank populations demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of genetics. Related: AJHG Perspective: ASHG Denounces Attempts to Link Genetics and Racial Supremacy (November... Read More

In 2007, geneticist James Watson was quoted regarding alleged intellectual inferiority among Africans. ASHG found the comments to be tragically misguided and without scientific foundation. Related: Statement: ASHG response to Recent Comments on Intellectual Ability (November 2007) Read More