13 May 2016

The Washington Post: The disturbing thing that happens when you tell people they have different DNA

Kimel says that studying how ideas about genetics affect us is particularly important, since people today are so fascinated with genetics and see it as a powerful and fundamental part of who we are. “Especially when the media is reporting on [genetic difference], it can be really harmful, because it’s easy to misconstrue the results, or to fail to emphasize that we are all very genetically similar,” she says. [...]

Overall, the research indicates that people who learn about genetic similarities between conflicting groups tend to support policies favoring a peaceful compromise more than those who do not. Yet the study in Israel showed a more pessimistic picture, says Kimel. There, information about genetic differences appeared to worsen negative and aggressive attitudes, while information about genetic similarities didn't do much.

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