ABSTRACT
A comparison of the distribution of diversity in humans with that found in other species of large-bodied mammals provides a useful perspective. Studies of human diversity raise important ethical questions which need to be addressed before each individual project is carried out. The medical relevance of the sequencing project was obviously another important factor, and its concentration in scientifically advanced countries simplified its organization, but perhaps a more “open” diversity project would have been more successful. Observations and inquiries in the area of human diversity are probably as old as humanity, and have in the past been linked to both blatant and subtle forms of racism. Selection influences the apportionment of diversity for a few loci: balancing selection can lead to low population differentiation levels, while directional selection can lead to high levels.
