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Why You Can't Tell Your Race From A DNA Test
Episode 899
Published 2 years, 11 months ago
Description
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.
Using science at home to decode your life? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Using science at home to decode your life? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.