200 years after Darwin’s birth, a panel of scientists concluded that race is no longer a biological issue. Part of the fourth annual Darwin Days, the Feb. 10 panel discussion in Goldwin Smith’s Lewis Auditorium was moderated by Prof. Warren Allmon, earth and atmospheric sciences, who directs the Paleontological Research Institute in Ithaca.

Allmon invited the panelists to explore the relationship between evolution and race. While race is standard fare in anthropology classes, it has become an uncommon word in science. Scientists do not tend to think about race from an evolutionary point of view, the panel agreed.

Provine, ecology and evolutionary biology, discussed the history of biologists’ attitudes on race. Darwin “believed [human races] were all of one species, but they differed mightily between each other,” he said.

“[Darwin] understood there was a connection among all of humanity,” panelist Sylvester James Gates, professor of physics at the University of Maryland, said. “[Scientists like Darwin] are led on journeys of discovery, and they don’t deny what comes out of that journey.” However, he added, “Darwin’s work on science ultimately does undermine his faith as a traditional Christian.”

Asked by an audience member if there were some biological tipping point where race made a difference, Provine responded, “My ethical view … has nothing to do with evolutionary biology.” He continued, claiming that “if we all started with a common ancestor, biology can instruct us.”

“Without Darwin, this story of our connections with each other is not possible. To me, this is one of the most wonderful myths science has given us,” Gates said.

An audience member raised the issue of parents one day being able to choose the genes of their own offspring.

“Rather than grouping people by races, not too far from now we’ll be all sequenced,” Allmon said in response.

Provine added that family history is much more important than the genome.

During the discussion’s conclusion, the panelists addressed Barack Obama’s presidency and its racial implications. “The social construction of race is very alive in this country … I’m actually an optimist about what this country’s capable of doing,” Gates said.

Allmon suggested that President Obama’s rise to power represented more than a political victory, “There are no races … if you test people,” he said.

Prof. Emeritus Kenneth Kennedy, ecology and evolutionary biology, offered his perspective as a biological anthropologist. “Races don’t exist according to scientists … what we’re looking at is diversity of individual … characteristics,” he said, noting that individuals tend to pay attention to specific physical features at first glance. According to Kennedy, the most immediately apparent are sex, stature and skin color.

Provine addressed the discussion of race in society at large.

“Until it becomes a part of culture … the implications of Darwinism don’t mean a damn,” he said.

“If we, as humans, are going to define race, then it should be looked at in some other place than evolution. You have to look for a definition that’s somehow outside of evolution,” Gates said.

Allmon agreed, adding, “Opinions on race didn’t have anything to do with the adoption of evolution.”