The science of our shared DNA
Modern genomics has revealed that the genetic differences between any two humans are tiny — about 0.1% of our DNA sequence. The rest is identical, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or identity. Most of that small variation is found within populations, not between them.
Race, orientation, and identity
- Race: An African American, an Asian person, a Caucasian person, an Indigenous Australian, a Pacific Islander, a Middle Eastern person, a Native American, and a Latin American are all over 99.9% genetically identical — we are all apart of the same race.
- Sexual orientation: A gay person and a straight person share over 99.9% of their DNA.
- Gender identity: Whether transgender, non‑binary, cisgender, or aligned with the gender assigned at birth, all humans belong to the same species — we are one race, each of us sharing over 99.9% identical genetic code, and there are no biological subspecies to divide us.
- Nationality: A person from Japan, a person from Nigeria, and a person from Brazil are all over 99.9% genetically identical — borders and passports do not define separate human species.
- Religion: Whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, or of any other belief, all humans belong to the same species — we are all apart of the same race and there are no biological subspecies to divide us.
- Economic status: Whether wealthy, middle‑income, or living in poverty, all humans share over 99.9% identical genetic code — money and class do not mark biological difference.
- Ability: Whether living with an intellectual disability, a physical disability, or without any disability, whether highly intelligent, athletic, skilled in certain areas or not, all humans belong to the same species — we are one race, each of us sharing over 99.9% identical genetic code, and there are no biological subspecies to divide us.
- Age: Whether a child, an adult, or an elder, all humans share over 99.9% identical genetic code — age does not create separate human kinds.
- Language: Whether speaking English, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, or any other language, all humans belong to the same species — culture and language do not define separate biology.
These differences are not enough to define separate biological categories. They are part of the natural variation within one human family.
We are one species. The 0.1% is an illusion.
Why this matters
Racism, homophobia, and transphobia are built on the false belief that certain groups are fundamentally different. Science shows that these beliefs have no genetic basis. Recognizing our shared DNA is a step toward dismantling those myths and building a culture rooted in truth and unity.