The color of normal: How a Eurocentric focus erases pigmentation complexity

Norton, Heather L.

doi:10.1002/ajhb.23554

Cited by 13

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The color of normal: How a Eurocentric focus erases pigmentation complexity

Norton, Heather L.·2021·American Journal of Human Biology

DOI 10.1002/ajhb.23554

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Abstract

Objectives: Skin pigmentation is both a highly variable and highly visible human phenotypic trait. Investigations into the biology and origins of this variation have been the focus of research in the fields of dermatology, anthropology, and forensic science, among others. This manuscript explores how much of what we know about the biology, genetics, and evolutionary origins of pigmentation has been strongly influenced by investigations and applications that focus on lighter skin. Methods: I reviewed literature from the fields of dermatology, anthropology and evolutionary genetics, and forensic science to assess how perceptions of lighter skin as the “normal” state in humans can shape the ways that knowledge is gathered and applied in these fields. Results: This normalization of lighter skin has impacted common tools used in dermatology and shaped the framework of dermatological education. A strong Eurocentric bias has shaped our understanding of the genetic architecture of pigmentary traits, which influences the ways in we understand the evolutionary processes leading to modern pigmentation diversity. Finally, I discuss how these biases in pigmentation genetics work in combination with phenotypic systems that privilege predicting lighter pigmentation variation to impede accurate prediction of intermediate phenotypes, particularly in individuals with ancestry from multiple populations. This can lead to a disproportionate targeting of already over‐policed populations with darker skin. Conclusions: Potential changes to how we conceptualize clinical and basic pigmentation research may help to reduce existing health disparities and improve understanding of pigmentation genetic architecture and how this knowledge is applied in forensic contexts.

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Loci relevant to European pigmentation variation may be neither relevant to, nor as numerous as in populations outside of Europe.
“Indeed, loci relevant to European pigmentation variation may be neither relevant to, nor as numerous as in populations outside of Europe (Crawford et al., 2017; Martin et al., 2017; Norton, 2020; Quillen et al., 2018).”
From The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion (2023) · cites this paper as Norton, 2020
Early work led to a bias in favor of genetic research on European/European derived populations, and this hid the true global complexity in genetic architecture that underscores skin color.
“Unfortunately, early work has led to a bias in favor of genetic research on European/European derived populations, and this hid the true global complexity in genetic architecture that underscores skin color.”
From The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion (2023) · cites this paper as Norton, 2020

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Sorted by citations

The evolution of human skin pigmentation: A changing medley of vitamins, genetic variability, and UV radiation during human expansion
Lucock, M. D. (2023) · American Journal of Biological Anthropology · doi:10.1002/ajpa.24564 · Cited by 35

Authors: Norton, H. L.
Affiliations: Department of Anthropology University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio USA
ORCID: Norton, Heather L.
Venue: American Journal of Human Biology
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2020-12-18
Volume: 33
Issue: 5
ISSN: 1042-0533
1520-6300
DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23554
Cited by: 13
References: 33
Language: en
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)

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The color of normal: How a Eurocentric focus erases pigmentation complexity

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