Do interracial children have a genetic advantage?

Question

We know that when couples are too similar, children have a genetic disadvantage (inbreeding). We know that certain diseases are prevailant among certain races.

Further, among dogs, mutts aren't predisposed to many of the problems that certain full-breeds have (for example, dachshunds have back problems, bulldogs have respiratory problems, etc.). I know that's a little far-fetched (pun intended), because humans aren't dogs, but do you see what I'm trying to get at?

Answer 1

That is a really interesting point.  I never thought about that before.  However what kind of advantages do you mean?  health?  Maybe they even live longer?

Answer 2

If you think about it from an evolutionary perspective, interracial children WOULD have an advantage, if any at all. As natural selection occurs, the principle of "survival of the fittest", wouldn't it make sense to incorporate the strongest possible genes from different locations? The same disease or predators in one are may not be the same as another. For example, the United States may not have one certain disease, whereas another country may. If an outbreak in the US occurred, wouldn't it make sense that the people who have the immunity would survive and reproduce? One way to get this immunity would be through genetics, and different regions and different races exposed to different things would increase diversity of immunity and grant a better chance to live and reproduce again.

Answer 3

Yes surely they will get benefitted.  

Answer 4

Yes (but also No)  

Genetic problems usually occur when both parents pass on the same gene,  and while many times its this can be because they are the same ethnicity, it is not always the case.

Also,  for certain treatments (such as a bone marrow transplant), when kids are 2 different races it is alot harder to find a matching donor.  Thats why alot of multiracial families sometimes have kids, just for the sake of "spare parts".  Gross really.

Answer 5

I have heard that on a documentary somewhere. Could be, makes sense.

Answer 6

No!  Nice idea, but...

First of all, your question assumes there is a genetic component to the idea of "race".  However, it has been found that there is more genetic variation within a group (i.e., within one 'race") than there is between the groups as a whole.  

See the wikipedia article on race and genetics.