A West Chester University initiative is putting people’s genetic makeup and race perceptions to the test – a DNA test, writes Tara Bahrampour for The Washington Post.
The DNA Discussion Project surveys people about their preconceptions of their ancestry before and after a DNA test is performed. Prior to the test, almost 80 percent of around 3,000 participants self-identified as white. Out of those, about two-thirds saw themselves strictly of one race. They were more likely to react adversely to unexpected African ancestry compared to others who identify as mixed or other races.
However, it turned out that for some white people, their identity trumps DNA. People who found the test too disruptive to how they perceive themselves used ways to rationalize it such as calling it a conspiracy theory.
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“For me, the No. 1 takeaway is how easily people reject science,” said Anita Foeman, professor of communication studies and co-director of the DNA Discussion Project.
The project also found that women and younger people are more open.
“Women just tend to be more flexible in terms of racial identification,” said Foeman.
Read more about DNA Discussion Project in The Washington Post here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of West Chester University here.
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