Gene Test in Spain

Well, I realized today in class that I completely forgot about the blog this week. So, I thought I would expand on the article that was in the New York Times this morning. Earlier this year, the Saint Mary's featured a lecture that looked at the presence of Moors and Jews in Medieval Spain, a historically Christian nation. In the lecture Dr. Menancol, different Jewish and Moorish influences within Spain today. However, the article in the Times explained the scientific proof of Jewish and Moorish people on Spain. Gene tests have proven that Spanish men today, many of whom are Catholic, have DNA that is linked to Sephardic Jewish and Moorish ancestors. In fact, 20% of Spanish men have similar DNA to that of Jews in 16th century Spain, and 11% share DNA with Moorish ancestors. Not only are there clear cultural influences of Jews and Moors in Spain, but now science can be used to "prove" these influences. Although, we may not need scientific proof to understand our history, it may have been useful in the days of religious intolerance in Spain. Perhaps if people had realized their common roots, there may have been a bit more tolerance for those who were different. But, may be not! It is just interesting that science can be used to prove cultural influences.