The Genome in Black and White (and Gray)

"Robin Marantz Henig article on research in which some scientists are studying genetic basis of race in order to develop better treatments; emerging field of race-based pharmacogenomics signals shift in perception, new approach that has as its core idea assumption that there are biological differences among races; frustrating gap in health status of different racial groups refuses to close or even to be adequately explained, and scientists remain split on very concept of race; pitfalls of research include possible misinterpretation of data that could lead to sweeping pronouncements and racial disharmony; drawing (L)"