JP/5/UNESCO Racism: Towards new threats?

Pierre Sani Jirtme Bindi UNESCO Paris

Over the last two centuries, pseudo-biological theories of "racial" inequality have often been enlisted in an attempt to bolster ideologies of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance. In recent decades, however, the inanity of these theories has been demonstrated.

The unanimously adopted Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights states, "the human genome underlies the fundamental unity of all members of the human family, as well as the recognition of their inherent dignity and diversity".

Yet racism and racial discrimination have hardly vanished. Indeed, they have not only survived the scientific deconstruction of the concept of "race" but even seem to be gaining ground in most parts of the world.

Social inequality and uncertainty have increased, as have explosive communitarian reactions and the flaring up of passions regarding ethnic, national, "racial" and religious identities. These passions increasingly give way to violence, all too often in fanatic guises that end in massacres and genocide.

Thus, various forms of social and urban apartheid are on the rise. Very often these forms are based on a structural discrimination which is "racial"; they can be explicit or implicit, but it is remarkable that they no longer need to rely on conscious reference to racist thematics.

In this universe of walled-up housing developments and impenetrable neighborhoods, the very concept of public space -- which is inseparable from the concept of democracy -- is on the wane, and sometimes even disappearing.

A growing sense of separatism in urban space is reinforced by the emergence of diverse forms of educational apartheid. Such a system of "invisible racism" and veiled discrimination is as formidable as the more outward varieties. This system can even function without a thought or representation ever crossing the mind of those involved, which might consciously have to do with racism or discrimination.

Hence the questions of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance need to be thought out anew, in a forward-looking way. To understand racist prejudice, we must undertake new kinds of exploration into these dark reaches, this time making better use of the tools supplied by disciplines such as psychology and psychoanalysis.

Contemporary scientific progress, and particularly the gene revolution, has raised great hopes but also alarming questions. In the temptation to perfect our species, are we not seeing the return of eugenics, more specifically a commercial form of eugenics that threatens to create a "two-track humanity" and with it the eventuality of a "post-humanity" that could lead to a form of dehumanization or domestication of humanity by itself?

More than ever, ethics needs to keep step with scientific progress and technological applications, so that they do not lead to new forms of discrimination.

First of all, it must be determined whether there is a risk in identifying characteristic gene sequences in populations living in a given geographic area: Could this lead to the use of data for purposes of racial or ethnic discrimination?

Secondly, is there not a risk that the new techniques of human reproduction will lead to the selection of embryos -- and thereby to discrimination? Selection may be employed to favor certain phenotypes, so that fewer people will be born with a genetic profile which is deemed undesirable; or to favor the birth of individuals with desirable characteristics, for instance the physical qualities needed to perform a certain kind of work.

Thirdly, research on the human genetic heritage could increase the temptation to deny human liberty. Many geneticists today are working on human genome sequences which may have a role in predisposing individuals to certain kinds of behavior (depression, rage, the use of memory, etc.). If individual and group behavior is reduced to biology, we are in danger of being dispossessed of the concept of human liberty.

Bioethics must confront these questions to ensure that the dignity, rights and fundamental liberties of humans are respected. All of these threats call for a full-scale, prospective reflection and for preventive measures to be taken at the international and national levels, especially in the following three domains.

o Education could be a precious tool in this struggle, so long as we refuse the various forms of "educational apartheid";

o Bioethics: A bioethical framework should be established at the national and international level to deal with this gravest of dangers for human rights, and provision should be made for monitoring and debate function to protect the human species from the possible misuses of technological and scientific applications, and their economic and commercial exploitation.

o Urban policies: Manifestations of "urban apartheid" have become increasingly extreme, thereby challenging the fight against poverty and threatening democracy.

If we wish to change our lives and carry on an effective fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, we must change our cities as well.

The developments anticipated here are extremely grave, but in no way inevitable. Governments need to display their civic sense by adopting policies which can prevent the most serious kinds of dangers.

Leading figures must also mobilize efforts to ensure that the rights of every human being are fully recognized, and that their societies do not become essentially uncivil.

The above is based on an article written for Unesco's talks on new aspects of racism and the gene revolution on Sept. 3 in Durban, South Africa.