Behar et al. / Nature 2010 / Genome-Wide Structure of the Jewish People
artifactBiotech & Transhumanism
A major DNA study checked whether Jewish populations really trace back to the Middle East — and found that they do.
Who they are
A landmark 2010 genetic study (Behar and colleagues, published in Nature) mapping the DNA of Jewish populations worldwide.
What they do
It found that Jewish groups around the world genetically cluster with Middle Eastern (Levantine) and European populations.
How it works
Ashkenazi Jews came out to roughly half Middle Eastern and half European ancestry, and the study found no meaningful genetic trace of a Turkic or Khazar origin.
Why it matters
It provides hard genetic evidence against the claim that Jews are descended from the Khazars rather than the ancient Middle East.
The engine's record — word for word
Report #78. Landmark genome-wide study establishing that global Jewish populations cluster with Levantine + European populations. Ashkenazi Jews ~50/50 Levantine-European admixture. No statistically significant Turkic/Caucasus/Khazar genomic signal.
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