Getting Genetic Ancestry Right for Science and Society

This paper argues for a shift away from using continental ancestry categories in genetic research and medicine due to their close association with race, which is a socio-political rather than biological construct. The authors highlight the risks of conflating genetic ancestry with racial categories, noting that this can reinforce misconceptions about race and biology. They advocate for a multidimensional, continuous approach to understanding genetic ancestry that better reflects human genetic diversity and demographic history. The paper calls for systemic changes in research practices, including the development of new methods and tools to move beyond reductive models that categorize genetic ancestry.