Human Variation: Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups

Explores the current state of knowledge of the causes and origins of human diversity and criticizes the reliance on racial labels, showing how new data on genetic markers points to the weaknesses of "classic" race divisions. Subjects include the biological basis for human variation, hemoglobin variants and DNA markers, traits of simple and complex inheritance, and changing dimensions of the human species. This fourth edition is reorganized to incorporate new records of DNA polymorphisms and to place these data in a frame of reference that does not depend on race categories. Although explanations start with the basics and are sometimes lively and interesting, this important material has not been predigested for general readers, and requires some scientific sophistication. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Discarding race as misleading, Human Variation: Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups examines the biology of human variation at the population level. It argues that diversity is a reflection of humans' ability to adapt to environments, organize activities, and regulate breeding behavior. This book reviews the history, behavior, and demography of contemporary populations and the distribution of major distinctions of body form, size, and skin color. The book traces the concept of race and analyzes faulty perceptions of human differences and issues of racism on assumed inherited inequality. It incorporates the latest DNA technology into a discussion of genetic markers including their adaptive significance. It also reviews ongoing evolution. The fourth edition of Human Variation: Races, Types, and Ethnic Groups has been revised to include a reorganization of chapters to unite discussions of inherited traits with explanations of their adaptive significance. The book also includes the latest data and a glossary of the latest terminology. A valuable reference book for any reader interested in the biological diversity of the human species.