Anthropologie, race et dilemmes autour de l’identité à l’ère de la génomique

Abstract

Given its current preeminence, the “new genetics” serves as a source for creating identities among social and even national groups. Genetic narratives interact with historical and social narratives; what is extremely new (genomics) impacts, interacts with, and in many cases chafes against what is old (race and typologies). This article analyzes the debates among biologists, social scientists, social movements, and other actors regarding the interpretation of genetic data from studies conducted in Brazil. The findings and implications of this research (known as “Molecular Portrait of Brazil”) go beyond the academy, serving as a battleground that ranges from activists from Brazil’s black movement to even members of far-right European groups, for example. A contextualized analysis of these debates proves helpful in better understanding the complex interactions between anthropology, genetics, and society in today’s world.