DNA Quote of the Day: Hillary Rodham Clinton

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 15, 2007 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts, DNA in General

Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking to graduates of Manchester Central High School in New Hampshire on the insignificance of differences, both genetic and not:

That the differences in how we look — in our skin color, our eye color, our height — stem from just one-tenth of 1 percent of our genes. And the differences among us — our cultures, our religious beliefs, the music we like — it is all so small a distinction in our sea of common humanity.

First, a scientific note - While traditionally defined genes may be incredibly similar between individuals, taking into account variations in noncoding DNA, gene regulation, and epigenetic factors means that we differ from each other in more ways than previously believed. For example, in November 2006, a study of copy number variants (CNVs) found that variations between individual humans as well as between the human species and other animals may be greater than previously believed; instead of being 99.9% genetically identical to your neighbor with the crazy hat, the figure may be closer to 99.5% (the numbers vary depending on the formula).

And while on the one hand I agree with Presidential Candidate Clinton that we should be more tolerant of each other, I also think that differences shouldn’t be downplayed. Differences make us unique and special. It’s how we perceive these differences that…get ready for it…make the difference.

Bonus quote from President Jimmy Carter on multiculturalism:

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.

Cheers to our differences. I like you just the way you are.

Update: John Hawks has a far more erudite refutation of Hillary Clinton’s comments and comments like hers in general discussing how genetically similar we all are to each other.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, hillary rodham clinton, jimmy carter, quotes, genome, genomics

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13 Comments »

Comment by Steven Murphy MD

2007-06-15 11:57:29

Hsien,
The differences allow us to see how unique WE are! Unless you’re running an empire of the State where we supress our differences in name of “The State” In which case differences are an impediment for the “greater good” Frankly, that quote is pretty scary!
-Steve
http://www.thegenesherps.blogspot.com

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-16 17:27:52

Stop it! You’re scaring me!

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Comment by SF Girl

2007-06-15 17:26:55

Beautifully said. It is in celebrating our differences that we become truly tolerant and celebrate our common humanity.

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-16 17:28:18

Celebrating is the key word! Thanks for the comment, SF Girl.

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Comment by David Bradley

2007-06-15 17:29:59

Don’t go changin’

db

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-16 17:29:25

Erm, impossible though I try.

Hey, David, did you know this comment popped into Akismet? I’m glad I found it!

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Comment by alicia

2007-06-15 18:43:31

Awe, we like you, too.

I interpret what she’s saying differently, though. By “common humanity,” I believe she’s referring to our very basic needs, desires, rights, etc. We all need to eat, be clothed in some way, have a roof over our heads, receive health care, etc. We all deserve kindness. We all deserve humane treatment. We are all humans, regardless of race, ethnicity, etc. and we all need basically the same things (abovementioned). So, none of our differences…well, make a difference when it comes to these things.

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-16 17:30:01

I agree with you. I’m sure that’s what she intended but you know how nitpicky we scientists can be.

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Comment by alicia

2007-06-16 17:50:12

That’s why the writer in me loves poking around in here with y’all

(Comments wont nest below this level)

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Comment by Mary Emma Allen

2007-06-16 01:50:09

Hsien, I agree, our differences are what make us unique, make us special. We should enjoy our differences, appreciate our differences, yet still can be tolerant of one another’s differences. We would be one sea of monotonous humanity if we ignored our differences and tried to fit into one mold.

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Comment by Hsien

2007-06-16 17:30:29

Agreed! I sometimes wish everyone were like me but I think I would be even more annoyed than usual.

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Comment by Steven Murphy MD

2007-06-17 01:12:33

Hsien,
I wish I were more like you
-Steve
http://www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com

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Comment by Carolyn Katzin

2007-06-19 23:22:41

Perhaps TASTE is a way we can think of ourselves -we choose different ways of eating, living, etc. This seems less value laden to me. What do you think?

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