Tracing decision points in the use of race, ethnicity and genetic ancestry as population descriptors in genomics research

Description

Sandra Soo-Jin Lee will discuss an empirical study of the use of population descriptors in precision medicine research and decision points in which investigators substitute and combine race and/or ethnicity and genetic ancestry. 

Overview of Presentation:

• The recent NASEM Report on the use of populations descriptors in genomics research recommends against use of race and ethnicity when indicating genetic ancestry.
• Drawing on qualitative data on five PMR projects, we identify multiple points across the research life course at which conceptual slippage and conflation between race and genetic ancestry occur.
• We illustrate points of negotiations within and between research teams as investigators deliberate on the relevance of race and genetic ancestry for different analyses and contexts.
• We argue that moving beyond race will require confronting the entrenched ways in which race is built into research practices and biomedical infrastructures.