with the completion of the rough draft of the human genome we’ll be inundated with fairly meaningless correlations of gene ‘x’ with personality trait ‘y’ [although they reports will only remain meaningless if the difference between correlation and causation is forgotten] – but you’ll also see more of this:

“They may have their differences but Jews and Arabs share a common genetic heritage that stretches back thousands of years.”

and this:

“Everyone in Europe is descended from just seven women.

Arriving at different times during the last 45,000 years, they survived wolves, bears and ice ages to form different clans that eventually became today’s population.”

this type of activity brings modern genetics back to its eugenic roots. any technology that allows groups to define other groups with a high degree of resolution brings similarities – and differences – into sharp contrast.

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