Just as people invented race theories some have now shifted the focus to the argument that different human sub species or species already exist and they do so without better understanding how we define the human species or how to satisfy arguments for the existence of human sub species or different human species. They do know how to get into a mix of political, financial, social, religious, mythology-based, and fantasy-based constructs though.

Brief Background on Things Genetic and Race Theories

The warning attached to even the dictionary listing at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=race states:

"European physical anthropologists of the 17th and 18th centuries proposed various systems of racial classifications based on such observable characteristics...many cultural anthropologists now consider race to be more a social or mental construct than an objective biological fact." (Bolding and red font is my touch.)

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race:

"...scientists have made related arguments that races are valid when understood as fuzzy sets, clusters, or extended families. Currently, opinions differ substantially within and among academic disciplines."

We've used the term "race" as if it's real but we have varied so widely as to what it is and what the differences are that's it's a pretty useful useless term. Then things genetic get thrown in.

• The Genographic Project -- A very informative interactive site that most can understand and appreciate. Covers genetic migration and much more.
• Race: Classifications of Human Beings -- Hint: they change over time (at least a few thousand years) and through cultures. A lot.
• Historica Definitions of Race -- Very basic introduction.
• Race and Genetics -- Oh man, have a lot of careers, and even some nations, been launched on this!
• PBS "What is Race?" -- The most excellent and easy to read user friendly site I've seen on the topic.
• Becoming Human

Supposed Human Sub Species

• Other Kin -- Some also discuss "OuterKin" or "Witch Species," believing that their identity and perceptual differences translate into actual different human species or sub species.

Identity Differences...Why are They Such A Big Deal?

We're funny monkeys that notice cultural and other differences and blow them out of proportion.  We're still evolving as a species and possess incredible neurodiversity (autism, synaesthesia, and more).  Our cultures and religions vary too, of course.  There is orthodoxy (correct belief), then there is orthopraxy (correct practice), for starters. Orthodoxy, especially monotheistic orthodoxy (which started 2,500 years ago with Zoroaster), is a more recent invention.  Buddhism is an example of orthopraxy.  That's been around a while too.  Identity differences over how and what we think/believe/experience remain the most dulling, common, unethical, and dangerous today and many leading innovators ask how we may change that.

When we develop into different branches of beings that differ even half as much as we differ from our cousins the chimps then we can entertain the human sub species question with some seriousness.  This could happen as we travel into the stars, having to adapt to new environments and worlds.

For now, we remain one complex varied race/species.

Excellence vs. The Habits of Power and Control Struggles

For now, associating people who are somehow different from you with what is wrong/evil/defect/separate/alien/supernatural is easier than developing a better functional understanding of genetics, learned empowerment, power paradigms, and human intelligence.  It's not right, just easier.

Diversity is something many religions and cultures have been at war with because they seek to fulfill "the homogenous wish" based on criteria that can never be realized.  This is used to strengthen political unifications, power networks, and abusive power and control struggles that benefit some more than others but at the cost mental plasticity, discoveries, equality, and lives.

I much prefer excellence and mutually earned courtesy and respect as the common denominator that is the glue that holds pluralistic humanity together.

Updated May 12, 2010.   Made less verbose but kept the message.