A scoping review of guidelines for the use of race, ethnicity, and ancestry reveals widespread consensus but also points of ongoing disagreement

The use of population descriptors such as race, ethnicity, and ancestry in science, medicine, and public health has a long, complicated, and at times dark history, particularly for genetics, given the field’s perceived importance for understanding between-group differences. The historical and potent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of human genetics 2022-12, Vol.109 (12), p.2110-2125
Main Authors: Mauro, Madelyn, Allen, Danielle S., Dauda, Bege, Molina, Santiago J., Neale, Benjamin M., Lewis, Anna C.F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ancestry
Asian People
Consensus
ethics
ethnicity
Ethnicity - genetics
Humans
population descriptors
Problem Behavior
race
recommendations
Research Personnel
Review
scoping review
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Summary:The use of population descriptors such as race, ethnicity, and ancestry in science, medicine, and public health has a long, complicated, and at times dark history, particularly for genetics, given the field’s perceived importance for understanding between-group differences. The historical and potential harms that come with irresponsible use of these categories suggests a clear need for definitive guidance about when and how they can be used appropriately. However, while many prior authors have provided such guidance, no established consensus exists, and the extant literature has not been examined for implied consensus and sources of disagreement. Here, we present the results of a scoping review of published normative recommendations regarding the use of population categories, particularly in genetics research. Following PRISMA guidelines, we extracted recommendations from n = 121 articles matching inclusion criteria. Articles were published consistently throughout the time period examined and in a broad range of journals, demonstrating an ongoing and interdisciplinary perceived need for guidance. Examined recommendations fall under one of eight themes identified during analysis. Seven are characterized by broad agreement across articles; one, “appropriate definitions of population categories and contexts for use,” revealed substantial fundamental disagreement among articles. Additionally, while many articles focus on the inappropriate use of race, none fundamentally problematize ancestry. This work can be a resource to researchers looking for normative guidance on the use of population descriptors and can orient authors of future guidelines to this complex field, thereby contributing to the development of more effective future guidelines for genetics research. [Display omitted] The appropriate use of race, ethnicity, and ancestry in science and medicine is a source of much discussion. In this review of normative guidance on this topic, the authors find the body of work to be largely concordant but in disagreement about how population categories should be defined and used.
ISSN:0002-9297
1537-6605
1537-6605
DOI:10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.11.001