National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
BMC Med Genomics. 2010 May 26;3:20. doi: 10.1186/1755-8794-3-20.
The study of human genetic variation has been advanced by research such as genome-wide association studies, which aim to identify variants associated with common, complex diseases and traits. Significant strides have already been made in gleaning information on susceptibility, treatment, and prevention of a number of disorders. However, as genetic researchers continue to uncover underlying differences between individuals, there is growing concern that observed population-level differences will be inappropriately generalized as inherent to particular racial or ethnic groups and potentially perpetuate negative stereotypes.
We caution that imprecision of language when conveying research conclusions, compounded by the potential distortion of findings by the media, can lead to the stigmatization of racial and ethnic groups.
It is essential that the scientific community and with those reporting and disseminating research findings continue to foster a socially responsible dialogue about genetic variation and human difference.
人类遗传变异的研究已经取得了很大进展，例如全基因组关联研究，旨在识别与常见复杂疾病和特征相关的变异。已经在获取关于许多疾病的易感性、治疗和预防的信息方面取得了重大进展。然而，随着遗传研究人员继续揭示个体之间的潜在差异，人们越来越担心观察到的人群水平差异会被不恰当地归结为特定种族或族群的固有特征，并可能延续负面刻板印象。
我们警告说，在传达研究结论时语言的不精确性，加上媒体对研究结果的潜在扭曲，可能导致对种族和族群的污名化。
科学界以及报告和传播研究结果的人员必须继续就遗传变异和人类差异进行负责任的社会对话。
