Just to clarify by "Indians" I mean those from the country India. I was doing some background reading on this matter a while back, and I found that most scientists consider the majority of Indians to be "Caucasian", both genetics wise and skeletally. Apparently some of them are mixed though. I was curious what everyone thought on this matter? Before anyone says "It's ridiculous, Indians aren't white!": It's true that all whites are Caucasian, but that does not automatically mean that all Caucasians are white.
This really depends upon what you are using as your genetic markers.
The gene responsible for the reduced melanin production in Caucasian people is different from that responsible for the similarly lighter skin of Asians. It is actually suspected to be two distinct 'branches' in genetic variation.
But these genes are not 'bound' to the other genes commonly shared among "ethnic whites" (whatever those are). Genes governing skeletal structure, hair follicles, etc are not necessarily tied together. During meiosis, a deliberate shuffling of genetic material occurs to keep genetic associations shifting. Thus, interbreeding populations are never going to remain 'genetically distinct' - particularly when in close contact with each other for extended periods of time.
If you want to group "whites" by the type of genetic code governing their melanin production, that's fine - but it won't really work to describe classic racial definitions.
