In this talk, Ruha Benjamin discusses advances in genomic science and explores questions of racial difference, scientific objectivity, medical trustworthiness, and social justice. Drawing upon developments in Mexico, South Africa, India, and the United States, she illustrates how political and scientific claims are connected in the day to day struggle of groups demanding rights and redress. Finally, she argues for a shift in focus away from individuals’ “trust” in biomedical research to the relative “trustworthiness” of institutions, as a starting point for developing science for the public good.

This talk is part of “In the Interests of Justice: Bringing Theory into Practice.” Each of the six speakers in this series is engaged in producing vital knowledge about the relationships between health, social inequity, race, gender, and power. Featured scholars will share their recent or ongoing work, and comment on the implications for changing and improving practice, in the fields of law, healthcare, or social services, in order to meet the needs of populations facing complex social, health, or disabling challenges. This series is a collaboration between Repair, a Los-Angeles based health and disability justice organization, The UCLA American Indian Studies Center, the UCLA Program in Disability Studies, and the The UCLA Department of Gender Studies. Funding and support are provided by NetCE.