Chimpanzee-human genetic gap

I've actually heard a little bit about this - it was mentioned on a discussion programme in the Education/Open University/Insomniac (me ) slot on BBC2 about a year ago.From a quick Google search I suspect Ray is talking about these two articles in Nature (or related work):

• Skorecki K, Selig S, Blazer S, Bradman R, Bradman N, Waburton PJ, Ismajlowicz M, Hammer MF.
  Y chromosomes of Jewish priests.
  Nature 1997;385:32. PMID 8985243
• Thomas MG, Skorecki K, Ben-Ami H, Parfitt T, Bradman N, Goldstein DB.
  Origins of Old Testament priests.
  Nature 1998;394:138-40. PMID 9671297

Unfortunately I think you need to subscribe to Nature to read them.I'm no genetic expert, but I'd expect that all the DNA can tell you is that there was a 'genetic Aaron' a few thousand years ago - kind of like the genetic Adam or Eve - how Ray ties that back to the claim it proves Genesis/Exodus is going to be fun to watch

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

I think this assumption is one you're going to have a problem getting people to agree with.All that the Cohen DNA evidence confirms is that there are common Y-chromosone markers identifiable among the modern Kohanim who are part of the male line of the Judaic priesthood. These markers have a common origin of about 3000 years ago (according to Wikipedia).Every priesthood claims to have been initiated by the god it represents to some extent or other - I don't see what's so special about this case.

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

Typical - I take so long typing my reply to Ray that somebody not only beats me to it but it's better written than mine!I hate you

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

You may be erring on the large size in that estimate.

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

You do know that Herepton is WILLOWTREE right?His standard of evidence is essentially "I quoted this part of a book so it must be right". There's no concept of the book backing up the claim with evidence or anything like that.Oh and "you've had your God-sense removed like it says in Romans x.y so your worldview blinds you to the truth".Your Ph.D. has got no chance against that level of intellectual rigour.

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then