MadSci Network: Evolution |
REPEAT: 2-19-01: Dear Kathy: \ Thank you for the question. The vast majority of contemporary biologists do not believe that the term 'race' can be applied to humans. All modern humans (Homo Sapiens) are considered to be of the same race. Modern biologists and biological anthropologists prefer to speak in terms of 'clines.' Clines can be defined as gradual trends in the variance of a physical trait (s) across geographical space. For example, dark skin color gradually becomes lighter as there is an increase to higher and colder latitudes. This, and most other such variation in traits, is due to natural selection over time. The terms 'Negroid' and 'Mongoloid' and so on are no longer used by many scientists. For further information, please see recent textbooks of physical anthropology. Dr. Smerken
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