Why are there different skin colors, writing homework help

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we are now aware of the genetic basis of skin color and understand that this particular human feature is governed by multiple genes (i.e., it is a polygenic trait) and thus gives rise to a spectrum of phenotypes. Now we need to place these concepts into an evolutionary framework.

DNA analysis indicates that we are all descended from a single ancestral group of Africans (Allmann, 2002; URL provided below). That is, all modern humans are descendants of a small number of ancestors who left central Africa about 150,000 years ago and whose descendants radiated across the globe.

For this writing assignment, you will write a 4-5 page (double space paper addressing the issue of human skin pigmentation from two directions:

  • First, if we are all descendants of the same people who travelled “out of Africa,” why are there so many different skin colors?
  • Second, discuss the ethical implications that could result from the scientific work on trying to understand skin pigmentation.

To formulate your answer to this question, read the article entitled “Skin Deep” (Jablonski and Chaplin, 2002) and the short transcript from Race (both emailed to you). Using the information from these sources, discuss in your paper (in your own words) the “sunscreen“ and “vitamin” hypotheses for the evolution of different skin pigmentation.

For example, should we categorize people based on the presence or absence of a gene or a small set of genes (as opposed to the entirety of who a person is)? Are there possibly objectionable uses for genetic information as a categorization tool? Is science condoning the classification of people based on color? Is this a topic that should be off-limits based on ethical grounds?

I am looking for you to consider the questions, develop pertinent theses, and support your theses with an organized discussion of properly cited/referenced research texts as much as possible. In other words, integrate your answers to both of these questions into an overall thesis for your paper (there are several directions you could choose). It is entirely appropriate to draw from additional sources for clarification of the science described in the article. Likewise, you may also ground your thesis in other written materials presented in this course (Dennett, Dawkins, Darwin, Wallace, Moore, etc.). You will need to find at least one additional source on your own.

_____________________________________________________

This essay is to be 4-5 pages in length, typed, double-spaced with standard margins (1” or less all around), 12 pt. Time New Roman font.

You must carefully, rigorously, and completely cite all sources used in your essay, both within your paper (in-text or parenthetical citations), and within a reference page at the end of your document. Use APA formatting.

Proper sentence and essay structure and spelling will be taken into account. Given References:

Jablonski, N.G., & Chaplin, G. (2002). Skin deep. Scientific American. 287, 74-81.

PBS. (2003). Program transcript [Excerpt, Scene #8]. Race: The power of an illusion, episode one: The difference between us. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-about-01-01.htm

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Explanation & Answer

Hello, am sending the document in the next twenty minutes.

Running Head: Why are there different skin colors?

Why are there different skin colors?

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Why are there different skin colors?

Introduction
All our genes can be traced back to the African continent. The ancient humans, as they
moved out of Africa gradually adapted to the surrounding of their new homes. The humans
without the ability to adapt were eliminated, while those who easily adapted passed on the genes
to the next generation; that is their kids. These adaptations manifest themselves in somewhat
superficial features; or rather traits; such as an extremely dark skin, shorter stature, a lighter skin
and also a myriad of other features that may make them have an additional advantage in the
sexual selection. Race is a concept that was implemented to categorize the perceived cultural,
social and biological differences between the human groups, (Jablonski & Chaplin, 2002). The
beauty of the race ideology is that it provides a justification of the greatest, social agony of the
life of an American as it provides a justification of the inequalities present in a society known to
be having its basis on equality.
First, if we are all descendants of the same people who travelled
“out of Africa,” why are there so many different skin colors?
After lots of thousands of years of separation, considering that the generations and the
descendants of this group reunited together, they would appear markedly different from one
another-both culturally and physically as the...


Anonymous
I was struggling with this subject, and this helped me a ton!

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