Re: Culture's effect on Genetics (was: RE: Cartoon meme)

From: Keith Henson (hkhenson@rogers.com)
Date: Wed 15 Feb 2006 - 01:54:21 GMT

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    At 04:47 PM 2/14/2006 -0800, Tim wrote:
    > > > <<Frankly, I think the Palestinians are just as Jewish as the mostly
    > > > European transplants in Israel. >>
    > > >
    > > > That's an odd thought. I have trouble even speculating on what you
    > > > could have meant.
    > >
    > > An off-topic remark, actually; but I think the Romans didn't empty out
    > > palestine when they kicked out the Jews. They expelled the ruling
    > > class of Jews, not all of them. Those who remained were still Jews,
    > > who later turned to Islam, But they still are Jews.

    They are of a common genetic stock that gave rise to the present day Jews in that area, but I think Jew, like Catholic, is mainly a cultural label rather than a racial one. I think you want the wider inclusive word Semitic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitic

    >Yes and no. Here are the results of one study, pointing to the effects
    >holding the <maternal lineage> meme have had upon genetic mixing across
    >several diverse Jewish communities:
    >http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/AJHG/journal/issues/v70n6/013504/013504.htm

    Interesting study! Memes affecting genes. There are people who argue that the Jews have been breeding for intelligence. Certainly the smarter ones seem to be more valued as marriage partners. Cultural training or genetics, they are about half a SD over the wider population average.

    But I think the more impressive effect is that between the two cultures
    (differing collections of memes). With people who are not that far apart genetically there is a huge difference culture makes in such matters as material wealth and birthrate.

    Keith Henson

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