Should scientists talk about race?
| 16:02 UK time, Monday, 22 October 2007
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Hi there. It's been so long since I was in the office it feels like the first day of term at school coming in today. Just as well I've not got a new haircut to make it worse.
An inbox containing over 3000 emails initially made me feel like I'd been missed but it turns out most of them are offering me pain-killers, Viagra and investment opportunities in Dubai. Some though contained requests for the Daily Email, so welcome to all the newcomers and sorry I'm a little late adding you to the list.
Here are the details of today's show....
WHAT CAN AND CAN'T YOU SAY ABOUT RACE?
Charles in Detroit is one of many of you to demand that we talk about DNA pioneer James Watson and the quotes attributed to him about race and intelligence. Some of you have even reprimanded how the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has covered this story. We'll do it your way today.
If you're new to it... the nub of the story is that .
COMMENTS:
Your Q) Regardless of whether you agree with the assertions attributed to him, should he or anyone else be allowed to make such comments?
Ans) Not at all. In fact by making such a statement he is showing how unintelligent he really is. In fact, what exactly is intelligence? This is a question to which science does not have a COMPLETE answer. 'IQ' is not the only measure of intelligence. It is JUST one minor measure.... Jesse Owens in the 1936 Berlin Olympics taught a lesson to Hitler & all Fascists and/or racists then, since then & in the future!
Your Q) Or does race have to be removed from science's research?
Ans) Yes, it should be especially if it relates to or can be used to CREATE future diseases which would attack only certain races. If such an event were to ever occur Hitler will be looked back upon as a nice guy! What has humanity learn from the Holocaust and so many other genocides?
Your Q)Are there some beliefs about race which are simply intolerable and deserve disassociation and condemnation?
Ans) Yes there are.
Max in Singapore
blockquote>As a graduate student in clinical psychology, we know it is widely acknowledged that tests of intelligence have long been biased against not only African Americans, but people of colour in general. This is not new information and anyone who believes that intelligence tests are unbiased are sorely misinformed. People in such highly revered positions as Dr. Watson's, should be much more careful in what they say as the rest of us look up to them for their scientific accomplishments.
Sheela in Cleveland, OH
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the US suspended him, the Science Museum in London cancelled a talk he was scheduled to give. He's gone home now without completing his book tour.
Regardless of whether you agree with the assertions attributed to him, should he or anyone else be allowed to make such comments? Or does race have to be removed from science's research? Are there some beliefs about race which are simply intolerable and deserve disassociation and condemnation?
It's worth adding that Dr. Watson says he doesn't remember saying the comments.
COMING UP THIS WEEK....
CAN POSITIVE THINKING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
No, says the University of Pennsylvania which has research out saying it has no effect on people's ability to fight cancer. Has it made a difference to a part of your life? We're hoping to talk about this on tomorrow's show.
THE TEACHER WHO WANTS TO TAKE A GUN TO SCHOOL
Shirley Katz is a teacher in Oregon and she's gone to court to win the right to carry a hand-gun at school. Would you like to speak to her or leave a message?Post here:
That's your lot today. Speak to you later.
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