transethnic

Transethnic is an adjective used to describe something that involves multiple ethnic groups or crosses ethnic boundaries. The term is used in academic, policy, and public discourse to indicate phenomena, practices, or identities that extend beyond a single ethnicity.

In genetics and genomics, transethnic analyses combine data from diverse populations to identify genetic associations that are shared or population-specific. Transethnic genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses aim to improve the discovery and generalizability of findings, while contending with differences in allele frequencies, linkage disequilibrium, and sample size across groups.

In sociology and anthropology, transethnic describes processes or relationships that cross ethnic boundaries, such as interethnic alliances, cross-cultural marriages, or identities that span multiple ethnic groups. The term also appears in public health and medicine when research or practice considers multiple ethnic populations for risk assessment, treatment, or access to care.

The term is distinct from transracial, though both involve crossing lines between groups. Transethnic emphasizes cross-ethnic scope rather than a change in racial or ethnic identity by birth or self-perception. Etymologically, it combines trans- (across) with ethnic.