A Troublesome Inheritance

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Overview: Drawing on new genomic evidence, this account explores the genetic basis of race and its significance in human history. The notion of biological differences among races has long been considered toxic and is often avoided in academic discourse. Scholars risk backlash for arguing that race is more than a mere social construct. Contrary to the consensus that human evolution halted in prehistory, the author contends that populations have continued to evolve, adapting traits like lactose tolerance and high-altitude survival. Race, he argues, is not a clear-cut distinction; rather, populations that remain isolated develop unique traits through Darwinian evolution. For millennia, human groups evolved distinct characteristics, both physically and culturally. Drawing from scientific breakthroughs, the author examines the genetic underpinnings of social habits, suggesting that traits such as thrift and nonviolence have been genetically ingrained in agrarian societies. He also discusses the genetic basis for intelligence-related traits in specific ethnic groups, including Chinese and Ashkenazi Jews. While advocating for the equality of all humans, the author emphasizes the importance of pursuing scientific truth, even when it leads into contentious territory. This work aims to spark a necessary and profound dialogue on race and human history.