This group of like-minded researchers and professional academics reflects multi- and trans-disciplinary perspectives working together to further develop and teach the growing field of “Anthropological Epigenetics/Epigenomics.” In this pursuit, we seek to maintain critical professional and social postures as an emerging community that strives to be ethically conscious and mindful in our mission.
Genomics, and by extension epigenomics, has its origins in eugenic practices, beliefs, and systems, that are intimately linked with anthropology and race science. These fields have colonial roots and have been weaponized against marginalized and minoritized people since their conception. Science, especially the disciplines of genetics and anthropology, has provided legitimacy to imperial pursuits for hundreds of years. Recognizing these histories is one step toward acknowledging past mistakes and correcting them, as we endeavor to better understand the world around us. The racist, classist, homophobic, sexist, essentialist past has not simply disappeared. It is embedded in our institutions, including science. We are committed to interrogating our own biases and those that exist within our fields to transform the discipline into something more just, or, at the very least, less violent.
Science is not a body of knowledge; it is a way of coming to knowledge. Questions and their hypothesized explanations are examined through careful observations and study. If rigorous testing and efforts to find evidence against hypotheses continue unsuccessfully, these ideas become temporary best answers until new knowledge is gained and old ideas are retested. Science at its best is reflexive and iterative. We recognize that we have personal biases, and we endeavor to self-reflect on these and to ensure that these do not negatively impact our science. As members of the greater scientific and public communities we, to the best of our experiences and abilities, strive to uphold these standards of inquiry and remain ethically conscious during our scientific research and teaching pursuits.
Our group condemns and does not support the use of human epigenetic or epigenomic research for abusive purposes including but not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, colonial/neo-colonial agendas, biological or environmental determinism. Such efforts actively degrade the public and societal benefits of epigenetic science.