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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: edu on August 31, 2014, 02:31:04 AM

Title: Genetic Testing to locate Non-Jews with Jewish Roots- Good or Bad?
Post by: edu on August 31, 2014, 02:31:04 AM

http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Home-genetics-kits-could-identify-millions-with-Jewish-roots-372835

Home genetics kits could identify millions with Jewish roots according to the article in the link.
But is this good or bad?

Title: Re: Genetic Testing to locate Non-Jews with Jewish Roots- Good or Bad?
Post by: White Israelite on September 01, 2014, 08:14:05 PM

These tests have existed forever, it doesn't make someone halachic Jewish , what they are testing for is mainly the Ashkenazi, because of endogamy, Ashkenazi generally were more inbred and have a huge number of cousins, it's no different than if you did a DNA test to match your chromosomes with your kids for paternity tests, certain tests can check if you contain a DNA marker common in the Middle East but it doesn't prove someone is Jewish just that they may have relatives or descendants who are jews.

Title: Re: Genetic Testing to locate Non-Jews with Jewish Roots- Good or Bad?
Post by: Ephraim Ben Noach on September 01, 2014, 08:46:34 PM

I didn't read the article yet. But if they can distinguish between paternal and maternal genes( which I think they can), it would mean something.... If your 50th mothers mother was a Jew, you are a Jew, if you know it or not. I think. ...

Title: Re: Genetic Testing to locate Non-Jews with Jewish Roots- Good or Bad?
Post by: White Israelite on September 03, 2014, 12:10:18 AM

Quote from: Ephraim Ben Noach on September 01, 2014, 08:46:34 PM

I didn't read the article yet. But if they can distinguish between paternal and maternal genes( which I think they can), it would mean something.... If your 50th mothers mother was a Jew, you are a Jew, if you know it or not. I think. ...

Not really because if someone converted down the road they can have a maternal x DNA marker from Europe for example .  its not really possible. You can get more of a idea if Jewish people individually are by bloodline related to other Jews which the vast majority are, most Ashkenazi have over 1000 cousins or more on DNA tests. You can get a general idea paternally if someone has a marker only found in west Asia or the middle east on the y chromosome for example I am paternally j1c3 which is found in the middle east but it doesn't determine Jewish status under halacha. Just that you are a descendant of Jews.