DNA Tests Open Way to Entitlement Claims

International HeraldTribune ^ | 4/14/06 | Amy Harmon

[freespirited]

Alan Moldawer's adopted twins had always thought of themselves as white. But when it came time [for]college, Moldawer thought it might be worth investigating the origins of their slightly tan-tinted skin, with a DNA kit..

The results, designating the boys 9 percent Native American and 11 percent northern African, arrived too late for the admissions process. But Moldawer... says they could be useful in obtaining financial aid. ...

Many scientists criticize ancestry tests as promising more than they can deliver...Given the speculative nature, it seems unlikely that schools and other institutions will embrace them. But that has not stopped many test-takers from adopting new DNA-based ethnicities - and a sense of entitlement to privileges typically reserved for them.

Prospective employees with white skin are using tests to apply as minority candidates, while some with black skin are citing European ancestry in claiming inheritance rights.

DNAPrint Genomics, once urged people to use it "whether your goal is to validate your eligibility for race-based college admissions or government entitlements."

...Some social critics fear tests could undermine programs meant to compensate those legitimately disadvantaged because of their race.

"If someone appears to be white and then finds out they are not, they haven't experienced the kinds of things that affirmative action is supposed to remedy," said Lester Monts, senior vice provost at University of Michigan.

Still, Michigan, like most other universities, relies on students' self-descriptions when assigning racial preferences. Ashley Klett's younger sister marked the "Asian" box on her applications, after the elder Klett, took a DNA test that said she was 2 percent East Asian and 98 percent European.

Whether it mattered they do not know, but she did get ... a scholarship," Ashley said.

[freespirited]

Tried my best to excerpt, but you really need to click on the article and read it.

These folks need their own political party. They could call it the Entitlement Party.

On second thought, they already have that, don't they. Never mind.

[Dallas59]

Gee......Illegal immigrants are a race, Muslims are a race, He/shes are a race, Gays, alcoholics, overweight people are a race...I WANT MY OWN RACE AND COMPENSATION!

[Savage Beast]

In the future everybody will be in so many victim and entitlement groups that even supercomputers will not be able to keep up with them. DNA will identify more and more. They'll clog the system. We'll have to eliminate them all and start over. The future is getting here fast.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

I believe it was (former talk radio host) Bob Grant who claimed he always checked the box for Native American, because "I WAS BORN HERE!"

[truth_seeker]

"In the future everybody will be in so many victim and entitlement groups that even supercomputers will not be able to keep up with them. DNA will identify more and more. They'll clog the system. We'll have to eliminate them all and start over. The future is getting here fast."

A sharp consultant could start a website business:

"Victim Options"

Fill out online questions, to determine the category of victimization with the highest payout.

Then sell step by step instructions.

[Savage Beast]

Don't say things like that, TS. The damned-fool Leftists will take it seriously.

[rx]

This is the result of the belief in evolution. The idea that there are different races. When you believe the truth, that we are all descended from Adam, you see we have only one race- the Human race. The differences are cultural. The various skin tones are genetic. Did any of the DNA show something other than human?

[rolling_stone]

Alan Moldawer's adopted twins had always thought of themselves as white.

Apparently raised in the oppressive white race why should they have any preference? Were they underprivileged? What is the purpose of preferences?

[PeteB570]

I check the other box also.

Then wrote in Nordic-American.

Fun for a while but now I'm just American-American

[hotshu]

I'm straight, white and Southern with a neck that is perpetually red. I know that makes me a minority, but does that put me in a unique race? I want some entitlements (of which I'm already supporting) too!

I'm totally fed up and I haven't even had my turn at the slop trough!

[Sender]

...9 percent Native American and 11 percent northern African...

So what percentage do they have to have to claim being black? Or native American? The way I see it, they are 80 percent white. Why should they get a pass?

[freespirited]

So what percentage do they have to have to claim being black?

Whatever percentage makes them feel black. There aren't any rules.

[gdc314]

Gattaca...

[pabianice]

With a new casino being built several towns away I have been having the feeling that I am at least 8% Heckawee Indian...

[Semper Paratus]

Hmmm. My Grandfather came from Soutwestern Ireland.
Him and his descendents all had black hair.
Basque and Portuguese sailors were known to have ship-wrecked in part of Ireland. Add the possiblity of sailors from the Azores, Cape Verdean, and that may explain why I always liked Motown.