Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 17, 2014, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
?PMli www.ws8u.edu/golfclas8ic The Chronicle ? Volume40,Number33 WINJSTON-SALEM, N.C. THURSDAY, April 17,2014 Geneticist: Science doesn't support racial distinctions by layla garms Ihe chronicle Dr. Georgia Dunston is a well known genetics professor and scholar and founder of Howard University's National Human Genome Center, but she told an audience at Winston-Salem State University last week that the term "genetics" is one she tries to avoid. "The subject of genetics brings a lot of baggage, especially with under served populations that have that nega tive history with how genetics has been used to manipulate them," she explained, referencing historical iniqui ties like the Tuskegee syphilis experi ment and eugenics programs that deceived and harmed many blacks. For the purpose of her lecture, Dunston defined the human genome (the genes, DNA and other genetic material in DNA) as "the complete set of instructions for making and operat ing the human body that each of us inherits from each of our parents at the moment we begin the cycle of life as a single cell." There is legitimate human genome research involving the study and pre vention of diseases, but Dunston says the genome's secrets go far beyond epi demiology. "What 1 want to talk about today is the other side of the story, if you will," she said. "The rest of the human genome theory is about inheritance and identification." Although race and ethnicity are defining components of American cul ture and many others around the globe, scientifically speaking, there is pre cious little basis for racial distinctions, Dunston said. "Seeing ourselves as different races is a belief system, and we operate and live based on what we bejieve to be real," she declared. "... 99.9 percent of our total sequence is the same, regard less of where you come from on this globe. If 99.9 percent of your inheri tance is the same, what is your basis for making distinctions between you? You See Dunston on A7 Photo by Lay la Garms Dr. Georgia Dunston speaks at WSSU. Photos b> Todd Luck Local District Court Judges Camille Banks-Payne, Lawrence Fine and Lisa Menefee. EUison stirs local Democrats Rep. Keith Ellison with his brother, Eric (left). BY TODD LUCK THE CHRONICU U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District fired up the party faithful at the Forsyth County Democrats gala Friday night at the Millennium Center. Ellison made history in 2007 when he was sworn in on Thomas Jefferson's Koran, becoming the first Muslim in Congress and the first African American elected to the House from Minnesota. He blasted his Republican colleagues in Congress and those guiding GOP-led statehouses throughout the country. "They're not responding to the needs of the people; they're not responding to the needs of the many; they're responding to the needs of the money," said Ellison, the brother of local attorney Eric Ellison. Polls and pundits predict a gloomy midterm election sea son for Democrats this year. Ellison said Republicans are Sec Democrats on A2 Photos t>y Lay la Gitrtns Candidate Katherine Pansier speaks. ^ Candidates have their say Democratic Part) forum features School Board hopefuls BY l.AYLA GARMS THE CHRONICLE The Forsyth County Democratic Party hosted a forum for School Board candidates Tuesday at the Central Library, ahead of the Tuesday, May 6 primary election Three of the candi dates - Chenita Barber Johnson, Deanna Taylor and Malishai "Shai" Woodbury ? seeking the two District 1 seats were on hand. Woodbury, an instructor at NC A&T State University, said her experience with schools populated with students from Barber Johnson low income families makes her highly quali fied. "I'm certified by the state as a priority schools leader and most of the schools in District 1 are priority level schools." she said. "... I think I am one of the best candidates to be on the school board because my experi ences will allow me to make a difference." Barber Johnson, an advertising consult See Candidates n A8 i i lTp & Comine Photo by l-Jyta Garm* Tommy Oliver brought his "1982" to the recent RiverRun InternationaI Film Festival. Read more on page A2. Surprise visit by Wake bailers delights kids - ----- - I I ?? llll f? 1 I "I - 1? I ?? 11?>1 Photos by Todd Luck Players sign autographs for the kids. BY TODD LUCK THE CHRONICLE ' The Wake Fores! University Men's Basketball Team ? helped Hanes Hosiery Community Center celebrate the end of another successful youth basketball league season. The players' visit last Thursday was arranged by Ashley . Waring of the Youth Advocacy Group, which is made up of F Wake Forest Law students who take on volunteer projects that benefit youth. For almost a decade, group members have L See Deacs on A8 ..I I " - , , , fin.* . I Allison Levene with Ashley Waring (right) Er ^ -r P s 1 2 > ? ? fv. jy h =? 8 I 2 T t 00 ? ? p -J f? _=. -* ,, <N ~ g 3 o -= V 00 z ? : d -- = : o. g % : o ^ % i p K w $ yj ? Vo^oZ J- SzSl? " -a ipcn g far' ~^^xJi'*storageBpmigiam of Winston-Salem, I1C 3F' ?
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 17, 2014, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75