Bias in biology education-How can that be? You be the judge.
Is Lactose intolerance a disorder or a disease that requires treatment?
75% of the world’s adult population are lactose intolerant. (This is the normal condition for human beings.)
25% of adult humans can digest lactose in milk. (This is the mutant condition in human beings)
Scientists refer to the mutation of continuing to make the enzyme, lactase, into adulthood "lactase persistence".
75% of all African American, Jewish, Mexican American, and Native American adults are lactose intolerant. (normal)
90% of Asian-American are lactose intolerant (normal).
5% of European Americans are lactose intolerant (normal).
(John Hopkins Medicine Health Library, 2015) (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 2015).
I want students to reflect on whether dairy foods are central to their own particular cultures and family traditions and diets; why milk is pushed so much in this country; how the unique nutritional needs of the 70% of lactose intolerant people, who are mostly Latinos, Asian, Native American, and African Americans are ignored and downplayed.
Can you find the bias in this typical biology text book excerpt?
Got Milk?
Milk is one of the basic foods needed for good nutrition, especially for growing children. It contains vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy development. Unfortunately, milk and other dairy products also contains lactose, a carbohydrate that can make some people very ill. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the lactose in milk cannot be digested well in the small intestine. The undigested lactose then moves into the large intestine where bacteria attack it, forming large amounts of gas. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Often, the individual will outgrow this problem. Avoidance of foods containing lactose is recommended for people who show signs of lactose intolerance. Since dairy products can provide many vital nutrients, tablets can be taken that provide the needed digestive materials in the small intestine. Lactose-free milk is also readily available. (ck-12.org)
Read my Bias Critique on Biology Instructional Materials and the barriers they present for black and Latino students.
Is Lactose intolerance a disorder or a disease that requires treatment?
75% of the world’s adult population are lactose intolerant. (This is the normal condition for human beings.)
25% of adult humans can digest lactose in milk. (This is the mutant condition in human beings)
Scientists refer to the mutation of continuing to make the enzyme, lactase, into adulthood "lactase persistence".
75% of all African American, Jewish, Mexican American, and Native American adults are lactose intolerant. (normal)
90% of Asian-American are lactose intolerant (normal).
5% of European Americans are lactose intolerant (normal).
(John Hopkins Medicine Health Library, 2015) (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 2015).
I want students to reflect on whether dairy foods are central to their own particular cultures and family traditions and diets; why milk is pushed so much in this country; how the unique nutritional needs of the 70% of lactose intolerant people, who are mostly Latinos, Asian, Native American, and African Americans are ignored and downplayed.
Can you find the bias in this typical biology text book excerpt?
Got Milk?
Milk is one of the basic foods needed for good nutrition, especially for growing children. It contains vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy development. Unfortunately, milk and other dairy products also contains lactose, a carbohydrate that can make some people very ill. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the lactose in milk cannot be digested well in the small intestine. The undigested lactose then moves into the large intestine where bacteria attack it, forming large amounts of gas. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Often, the individual will outgrow this problem. Avoidance of foods containing lactose is recommended for people who show signs of lactose intolerance. Since dairy products can provide many vital nutrients, tablets can be taken that provide the needed digestive materials in the small intestine. Lactose-free milk is also readily available. (ck-12.org)
Read my Bias Critique on Biology Instructional Materials and the barriers they present for black and Latino students.
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