Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the spatio-temporal narratives embedded within human population genomic science, contrasting the evolutionary tree narrative to the rhizomic network narrative and assessing the political affordances each narrative contains.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores the spatio-temporal narratives embedded within human population genomic science. For example, genetic ancestry testing depends on an underlying narrative about the peopling of the world through migrations, followed by a continental-level stabilisation, during which genetic and phenotypic differences were established (including the ones commonly described as "racial"), followed by global-level diasporic migrations. This narrative is represented by a spatio-temporal genealogical tree, which shows "unity in diversity", in which unity derives from common origin. A different rhizomic network model derives unity from constant flows across space and time. These past spatio-temporalities impinge on genomics' promise to deliver a better future: less (racial) intolerance, greater health for all, more democracy. The tree model affords ideas of genetic unity, which implies an anti-racism based on downplaying difference; and ideas of genetic diversity, which implies recognising (and geneticizing) "racial" difference and can underwrite racism, but also anti-racism based on recognising (genetic) difference in order to correct inequalities (e.g. of health). Health disparities seen to be due in part to population genetic difference invoke the tree narrative with its deep timeframe. Health inequalities seen to be due to environmental influences (interacting with genomes) invoke the shallower timeframes of the network model. The potential of the tree model to underwrite deep-rooted diversity and geneticize (racial) difference - despite its potential to highlight unity - should be borne in mind. Attention to the various spatio-temporal models underlying different approaches to understanding genetic variation helps us to be mindful of their political and ethical implications.