The fact that there is Jewish DNA in certain parts of Latin America is not evidence otherwise. Wherever there is Hebrew DNA, there are linguistic, cultural and oral history markers pointing to Sephardic Jews (my people) who fled the Inquisition in Spain & Portugal to the New World. DNA evidence of Sephardim intermarrying and (largely) assimilating is not "evidence" that should remotely influence any rational Christian/Mormon disputation.
For the record, I'm neither Christian nor LDS, so I have no beef in your dispute. I am, however, a supporter of efforts to reach out to those lost Sephardim who want to return to Judaism, and bring them back. Many have secretly kept Jewish traditions behind locked closet doors for centuries.
I was just wondering if you think there might be a difference between Hebrew DNA as one of the lost tribes of Israel, one of which I have read about being Native American Indians, as some Native American civilizations have had traditions of the Ancient Israelites...
Maybe there is just a difference between the religion of Judaism which has many branches currently today, Orthodox, Reform, Reconstructionist etc..and with Hebrew DNA and verifiable evidence of one of the 12 Tribes of Israel which is more of an inheritance and a culture that involves Torah and the true Israelites.
The 12 Tribes of Israel are located all over the planet so I assume that is more than the Gentile populations if DNA could of been proven since the Diaspora.
Dear XXX:
I am a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia. I am also a Latter-day Saint and was until recently serving as a Bishop. A few months ago I came across some DNA research that conflicts strongly with my understanding of Book of Mormon history. I have been communicating with Professor Scott Woodward at BYU about this research. I am writing to you because you are likely to be able to understand the research well because of your molecular experience. I think it will be beneficial for LDS scientists that can appreciate this work to communicate with each other about it.
The research involves RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of American Indians. The mt genome is used for this type of study because it has a high rate of mutation compared to the nuclear genome. The mt genome is also maternally inherited thus avoiding the complications arising through recombination in each generation. Different mtDNA lineages arise by accumulation of characteristic mutations. These mutations, which can be detected by RFLP or sequencing, can be used to determine the relationships between different human populations.
Over the last 8 years research groups from several labs around the world have been analysing the mtDNA of American Indians. After communicating with several of the leading authors, it is now clear that they agree that in the Americas there are essentially 5 different mtDNA lineages (A, B, C, D and X). The A, B, C and D lineages are also found in Asian populations at low frequencies. They have not been found in Europe. Other lineages such as X6 and X7 have been shown to be derived from the C and D lineages. The X lineage is found at very low levels throughout the Americas and is found at low levels in Europe. It has not yet been found in Asia. The American X lineage is very different to the European X lineage. A paper describing the distribution and phylogenetic analysis of this lineage will be published in the December issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Below are some of the most significant publications in this field. The last three publications describe a genetic link between South Pacific Islanders and South East Asians.
Schurr et al (1990) Amerindian mitochondrial DNAs have rare Asian mutations at high frequencies, suggesting they derived from four primary maternal lineages. American Journal of Human Genetics 46, 613-623.
Merriwether et al (1995) Distribution of the four founding lineage haplotypes in native Americans suggests a single wave of migration for the New World. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 98, 411-430.
Merriwether and Ferrel (1996) The four founding lineage hypothesis for the New World: A critical reevaluation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 5, 241-246.
Bonatto SL and Salzano FM (1997) Diversity and age of the four major mtDNA haplogroups, and their implications for the peopling of the new world. American Journal of Human Genetics 61, 1413-1423.
Stone AC and Stoneking M. (1998) mtDNA analysis of a prehistoric Oneota population: Implications for the peopling of the New World. American Journal of Human Genetics. 62, 1153-1170.
Hertzberg et al (1989) An Asian-specific 9-bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA is frequently found in Polynesians. American Journal of Human Genetics. 44, 504-510.
Lum et al (1994) Polynesian mitochondrial DNAs reveal three deep maternal lineage clusters. Human Biology 66, 567-590.
Melton et al (1995) Polynesian genetic affinities with Southeast Asian populations as identified by mtDNA analysis. American Journal of Human Genetics 57, 403-414.
The research in these papers strongly suggests that all pre-columbian mtDNA lineages were brought into America over 12,000 years ago. The implication of this is that American Indians are the descendants of Asians. This is reported in a recent issue of a popular science rag (New Scientist, 17th October 1998 pages 24-28). This research conflicts with my understanding of the Book of Mormon. I can’t fit the data with the limited geographical model proposed by some Book of Mormon scholars. It only fits with a disappeared into thin air model.
(Dr Simon Southerton, Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, AUSTRALIA)
As a Christian myself I am sorry there are times the will and ideas of man under the influence of the evil one derail us from the true spirit of the Almighty. The devil can be very effective and shifty when he leads us astray which is made worse when it is under the guise of supposedly doing God's will.
Also, love the tag line.
Shalom...