Micah Reed HysongLately, there has been a lot of discussion about whether diversity belongs in science. While some argue that investing in a diverse scientific workforce is wasteful, biology itself tells a different story about the power of diversity. From the smallest scales of genetics to entire ecosystems, biology is consistent in its declaration that diversity is an integral part of our survival and success.
Genetic mutations, random changes in DNA, are one of the primary sources of genetic diversity. As the environment changes, some of these mutations may prove to be beneficial for a species’ survival. Thus, mutations are necessary for evolution and adaptation. In humans, well-known examples include reduced melanin levels as populations migrated out of high-UV regions of Africa, the ability to digest lactose that emerged alongside dairy farming, and genetic adaptations that allow Tibetans to thrive at high altitudes.
The importance of genetic diversity can also be seen on an individual level. Inbreeding occurs when closely related individuals have children together. Because relatives share many of the same genes, this reduces genetic diversity in their offspring and increases the risk of inherited disease. Most mammals, including humans, carry two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Having two different copies often provides a biological backup: if one copy carries a harmful mutation, the other can still function normally. In inbreeding, however, both copies are more likely to be the same. When that shared copy contains a harmful mutation, there is no backup, making disease more likely. This is why dog breeds, which are often bred with close relatives, have unique health risks. For example, it is estimated that 60% of golden retrievers will get cancer. This is also why geneticists are employed at zoos as species conservationists, to make breeding recommendations that prevent inbreeding and sustain the genetic diversity and health of the species.
Every cell of the human body contains the same DNA blueprint. Eye cells, muscle cells, immune cells and brain cells all use the same genetic instructions to carry out different tasks. This allows our bodies to form organs and organ systems and carry out many complex tasks. Previously, humans were thought to have approximately 200 cell types, but research is still discovering new cell types, with some estimates suggesting we may have around 6,000 distinct cell types.
Diversity is also a cornerstone of our immune system. Our immune cells must recognize millions of possible viruses and bacteria. To do this, they combine distinct gene segments to create millions of unique viral/bacterial receptors in a process called VDJ recombination. This allows us to keep up with quickly evolving viruses like coronavirus.
The importance of diversity can also be seen on a larger scale. Monoculture agriculture involves growing a single crop over a large area. This became common practice as it allowed farmers to specialize in the production of a single crop to maximize yield and profit; however, it is now understood to be a risky practice, as a single pest or disease can wipe out the entire crop. Alternatively, planting a more diverse array of crops confers greater resistance to these threats. Similarly, ecosystems with greater biodiversity are more resistant to changes in the climate.
So, do these lessons ranging all the way from microbiology to ecosystem biology apply on the human scale? Recent research suggests that they do. A study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found a 19 percent increase in innovation revenue from companies with above-average diversity on their management teams compared to companies with below-average leadership diversity. In a separate study, McKinsey & Company, an American multinational strategy and management consulting firm, collected data from over 1,200 companies across six global regions. They found that companies in the top quartile of ethnic and gender representation on executive teams had a 39 percent increased likelihood of outperformance than those in the bottom quartile.
More specifically, diversity within the scientific workforce can have a huge impact on new technologies and public health. For example, during a school project, MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini found that facial recognition algorithms didn’t work on dark-skinned women. These algorithmic biases are one example of disparities that Black and Hispanic scientists are more likely to look into. Similarly, a lack of female scientists (for example only about 33% of faculty in pharmaceutical companies are women) has led to less funding and less research into diseases that primarily affect women. Diseases that primarily affect women receive half as much funding as those that primarily affect men. It was estimated that if the scientific workforce over the last 40 years matched the 2010 US Census, there would have been 29% more articles in public health, 25% more in gynecology, and 18% more on mental health.
Again and again, biology tells the same story: diversity is an asset. It fuels adaptation to new and changing environments, protects populations from adverse health outcomes, enables complex biological functions, buffers ecosystems against change, and promotes technologies that work for more people. Loss of diversity consistently results in one thing — fragility. Crops and technologies fail, species decline, and diseases spread more easily. These patterns appear across every level of life, from DNA to entire ecosystems. The research is in: diverse perspectives drive creativity, boost innovation, and reduce bias. Just as diversity strengthens living systems, it also strengthens the teams studying them—exactly what science needs to solve the complex problems of our time.
Peer edited by: Caryssa Drinkuth