Genetics is not why more BAME people die of coronavirus: structural racism is | Winston Morgan

Yes, more people of black, Latin and south Asian origin are dying, but there is no genetic ‘susceptibility’ behind itFrom the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been an attempt to use science to explain the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on different groups through the prism of race. Data from the UK and the US suggests that people categorised as black, Hispanic (Latino) and south Asian are more likely to die from the disease.The way this issue is often discussed, but also the response of some scientists, would suggest that there might be some biological reason for the higher death rates based on genetic differences between these groups and their white counterparts. But the reality is there is no evidence that the genes used to divide people into races are linked to how our immune system responds to viral infections.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus outbreak Race Genetics Biology Infectious diseases Science World news UK news Inequality Source Type: news