ABSTRACT
Some Canadian First Nations people have been genetically defined as being in higher health risk categories because of a questionable if not spurious racializing of medical research. The Oji-Cree of Sandy Lake, Ontario, are classified as being genetically predisposed to a form of diabetes. Such conclusions could enhance health care programs, but at the same time could be a means of discrimination whereby certain groups are determined to be at risk due to biologically inherent characteristics. These types of findings emerge from a long tradition of “scientific” classification that today is being enhanced by genetic science and computer modeling and has impacts on both the health and life-chances of Aboriginal peoples. This chapter focuses on how race-related genetic classifications are constructed and hints at the less desirable possible consequences for minority groups.
