The Morality of Human Difference

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President Emmanuel Macron has proposed removing the word 'race' from the French constitution. It currently reads: "France... shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race or religion." Mr Macron wants to amend that to "origin, sex or religion." He is backing campaigners who say that, as all humans are 99 per cent genetically identical, the idea that humanity could - or should - be divided into different races is prejudiced nonsense. Is the concept of race indeed so discredited that it should not even be mentioned in the conduct of human affairs? That policy would cut both ways; it could become illegal, for example, to discriminate positively with 'targets' and 'quotas' in pursuit of ethnic diversity. Mr Macron's opponents believe as long as racism exists there will always be a need to talk about race. There is also a wider moral question: how far should we go to recognise and even encourage human differences and group identities? Some people, it is reported this week, are uncomfortable about the idea of reserving university accommodation for only gay and transgender students. There was controversy after the Mayor of Paris threatened to ban a black feminist festival which proposed to exclude white males. Are we risking "creeping segregation" in the name of diversity and inclusion? Or do separate spaces offer vital support and solidarity to those who feel marginalised and ignored? Witnesses are: Dr William Lez Henry, Professor Adam Kuper, Rima Saini and Ella Whelan. Producer: Dan Tierney.