The Puzzle of the Ashkenazic Bottleneck | Jim Stone | TEDxBeaconStreet

Scientists have wondered for many years why Ashkenazic Jews are disproportionally subject to certain genetic diseases. A geneticist named Shai Carmi found a surprising answer using modern genome analysis tools. Carmi has written that in the fourteenth century the root stock of this now large population consisted of only about 350 breeding individuals. This finding can explain the disease proclivities -- but it contradicts virtually all historical sources. This talk explores how to bring history and science back together. The only credible union of the two involves some disturbing conclusions and suggests the possibility of a slow but thorough medieval genocide. x This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at