Melanin, afrocentricity, and pseudoscience

Montellano, Bernard R. Ortiz de

doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330360604

Cited by 18 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Anyway, some heuristic theories appear to attribute a greater energetic efficiency to melanized cells [153], decreasing the necessity of mitochondrial oxidations, and evermore a "melanin theory" proposes certain advantages to Africans because of the higher melanin content. That theory has been dissected and refuted [154].…”

Section: Melanin Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melanins: Skin Pigments and Much More—Types, Structural Models, Biological Functions, and Formation Routes

Solano

2014

New Journal of Science

433

431

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This review presents a general view of all types of melanin in all types of organisms. Melanin is frequently considered just an animal cutaneous pigment and is treated separately from similar fungal or bacterial pigments. Similarities concerning the phenol precursors and common patterns in the formation routes are discussed. All melanins are formed in a first enzymatically-controlled phase, generally a phenolase, and a second phase characterized by an uncontrolled polymerization of the oxidized intermediates. In that second phase, quinones derived from phenol oxidation play a crucial role. Concerning functions, all melanins show a common feature, a protective role, but they are not merely photoprotective pigments against UV sunlight. In pathogenic microorganisms, melanization becomes a virulence factor since melanin protects microbial cells from defense mechanisms in the infected host. In turn, some melanins are formed in tissues where sunlight radiation is not a potential threat. Then, their redox, metal chelating, or free radical scavenging properties are more important than light absorption capacity. These pigments sometimes behave as a doubleedged sword, and inhibition of melanogenesis is desirable in different cells. Melanin biochemistry is an active field of research from dermatological, biomedical, cosmetical, and microbiological points of view, as well as fruit technology.

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Section: Melanin Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melanins: Skin Pigments and Much More—Types, Structural Models, Biological Functions, and Formation Routes

Solano

2014

New Journal of Science

433

431

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“…Some Afrocentric writers suggest that black people have superior mental, physical, and even paranormal powers over whites because of the high amount of melatonin and β-MSH compounds (cf. Ortiz de Mentellano 1993). Many on the Left have recently turned to the intersection of implicit bias research and pharmacology (Terbeck et al 2012); new research claims that the beta-blocker drug propranolol can reduce implicit racial bias among users (cf.…”

Section: The Genetic (Re)turn: Why Dance To This Tune?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Beautiful Melodies Telling Me Terrible Things

Hughey¹,

Byrd²

2015

The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Scie

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To conclude this volume, we first engage in a brief history of scientific racism and the extent to which it resonates with the public. we then attempt to explain why American society and culture continue to fall prey to the seduction of biological determinism and racial essentialism: (1) the DNA mystique, (2) scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts, (3) the ethno-politics of genetics, (4) dismissals of social science as "soft," (5) the defense of biology against reactionary dismissals, and (6) the aura of "objectivity" surrounding genetics. Last, we point to a way forward that may help scholars and the public avoid a return to old and debunked theories: (1) engagement with interdisciplinary fields and science and technology studies, (2) involvement of knowledgeable scholars and policy experts in government and higher education, (3) revision of the current additive funding model used by federal agencies, and (4) evolution in the training of future and current scholars and policy-makers toward mitigating inequality.

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“…17 The ability to synthesize melanin, however, remains intact in the central nervous system of persons with albinism. 18 Thus, a difference in the central nervous system, which might cause ADHD, would most likely have to be pleiotropic. Although this is certainly a possibility, Kutzbach and colleagues 1 fail to explain that such a central nervous system difference would be pleiotropic.…”

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confidence: 99%