5-1 Final Proect Milestone 3

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Anthropology

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Jan 9, 2024

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IMPACT OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT AND DECONSTRUCTING RACE One way we can continue our study of human evolution is by examining the relationship between disease, culture, and environment among modern humans. Type 2 diabetes is an excellent example, particularly because it is a multifactorial disease, where genetic components work with environmental factors, resulting in an increased prevalence in some cultures. Impact of Culture and Environment Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a condition characterized by impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance resulting in high blood sugar levels. While the disease does not have a clear pattern of inheritance, the risk of development increases with the number of affected family members (Medlineplus, n.d.) The genetic component of this disease is the result of the interaction between multiple genetic variants scattered across the genome, each having small or moderate effects on their own. (Medlineplus, n.d.) Additionally, genetic predisposition of T2D varies across populations, with some ethnic groups having a higher prevalence of specific gene variants related to insulin resistance, reflecting the diversity of human genetics. We can attempt to understand why there is a higher prevalence of this disease in certain ethnic groups or populations by considering the possibility that the genetic variants that are more common in these groups may have at one point served as an advantage. A theory posed by James V. Neel, a catalyst for the field of human genetics, suggests that the variations that contribute to T2D may have benefited populations affected by food scarcity, as these genes caused a rapid buildup of fat reserves that would support people through the periods when food was less available (Boyd & Silk, 2021). As mentioned, T2D is a multifactorial disease, so the role of environment on the development of T2D is significant in understanding why certain populations or groups higher rates of it have than others. Lifestyle and dietary habits can play a significant role in one’s chances of developing type two diabetes. Particularly, the association between activity level, and T2D has been the topic of numerous studies with the generally agreed upon finding being “that physical activity is likely the most beneficial preventative measure one can take against the development of the disease” (Gassasse et al., 2017). Consequently, we can understand that a more sedentary lifestyle can carry a higher risk for development of type two diabetes. We can see this narrative take place in cultures influenced by processes like rapid urbanization, whose environments often exhibit “a

2 IMPACT OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT AND DECONSTRUCTING RACE more diabetogenic environment, characterized by higher prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity”, thus contributing to the rates of T2D (Gassasse et al., 2017) (Schulz et al., 2006). Dietary habits also play a crucial role in the development of T2D, with several studies suggesting that diets high in refined grains, trans fats and processed sugars can increase one’s risk of developing T2D (Sami et al., 2017). It is important to also note that cultural factors often shape our dietary habits, influencing the quality and quantity of the foods we eat. Recognizing this allows us to draw connections between cultures that rely more heavily on these foods, and higher rates of T2D (Tripp-Reimer et al., 2001). Ethical Implications The ethical implications surrounding type two diabetes primarily revolve around the topics of health and lifestyle. One that would be of concern is that visitors may associate people or groups with T2D as being “at fault”. To avoid this misconception, museum staff must emphasize the multifactorial nature of type two diabetes and the complex relationship between genetics and environment. It will also be important to discuss how perceptions of health and access to healthcare can vary across cultures. Deconstructing Race When anthropologists say that race is a social construct, they are saying that there is no biological basis for the concept of race, as when comparing the DNA of people from various racial backgrounds, there are no significant differences in the human genome. In fact, there is actually more genetic variation within groups than among them. The lack of scientific validity to race however, does not minimize the reality of it. Race is a powerful, culturally constructed concept that has been ingrained into our society and has real implications on individual/ group experiences. To illustrate that race is socially and culturally constructed, the museum could incorporate a display highlighting stereotypes and prejudices experienced by different racial groups, specifically, they could incorporate first-hand accounts from racial minorities, detailing their experiences across various cultures.

3 IMPACT OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT AND DECONSTRUCTING RACE While race and ethnicity are both socially constructed concepts used to categorize humans, they differ in that while race is concerned with physical characteristics; ethnicity is a broader, more fluid concept that is concerned with cultural traits such as religion, customs, history, and traditions (Antweiler, 2015). Biological anthropologists chose to describe groups of people based on ethnicity over race for a number of reasons, including the lack of biological validity behind race and the ridged boundaries the concept creates. Additionally, biological anthropologists chose to group people based on ethnicity due to the impact of culture on human biology and behavior. To reinforce the idea that race is a social construct rather than a biological reality, museum staff may choose to incorporate a display that depicts the degree of genetic variation within racial groups, while also highlighting the lack of race specific genes. It is important that biological anthropologists employ a culturally relative perspective when studying the concept of race in different cultures. This perspective allows researchers to gain deeper understanding of how different cultures perceive and conceptualize race and allows them to investigate the social and historical contexts of their beliefs. Additionally, this lens helps researchers avoid ethnocentrism that could lead to misinterpretation or bias in findings.

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4 IMPACT OF CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT AND DECONSTRUCTING RACE References: Antweiler, C. (2015, August 27). Ethnicity from an anthropological perspective . De Gruyter. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783839430132-003/html Boyd, Robert, and Joan B. Silk. How Humans Evolved. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (9th Edition). W. W. Norton, 2021. Gassasse, Z., Smith, D., Finer, S., & Gallo, V. (2017, October 1). Association between urbanisation and type 2 diabetes: An ecological study . BMJ Global Health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/2/4/e000473 Sami, W., Ansari, T., Butt, N. S., & Hamid, M. R. A. (2017). Effect of diet on type 2 diabetes mellitus: A Review . International journal of health sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426415/ Schulz, L. O., Bennett, P. H., Ravussin, E., Kidd, J. R., Kidd, K. K., Esparza, J., & Valencia, M. E. (2006, August 1). Effects of traditional and western environments on prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians in Mexico and the U.S. American Diabetes Association. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/29/8/1866/28611/Effects-of-Traditional-and- Western-Environments-on Tripp-Reimer, T., Choi, E., Kelley, L. S., & Enslein, J. C. (2001, January 1). Cultural barriers to care: Inverting the problem . American Diabetes Association. https://diabetesjournals.org/spectrum/article/14/1/13/207/Cultural-Barriers-to-Care- Inverting-the-Problem U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Type 2 diabetes: Medlineplus Genetics . MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/type-2-diabetes/

5-1 Final Proect Milestone 3

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