Confucian confusion and DNA: OT

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Tony Hoskins

Confucian confusion and DNA: OT

Legg inn av Tony Hoskins » 16 jun 2006 23:04:02

From Reuters UK. Perhaps of some interest.

DNA test to clear up Confucius confusion
Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:45 AM BST

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese claiming Confucius for an ancestor can now
use a genetic test to prove a direct blood connection to the grandfather
of Chinese social mores, a state newspaper said on Friday.

The fifth-century BC social philosopher's ideas of filial piety and
deference to elders influence Chinese society and politics even today.

Now his countrymen can establish a genetic link in a test that will
cost more than 1,000 yuan ($125), according to the Shanghai Morning
Post.

"We would like to help these unconfirmed claimants to test their DNA
and to establish a Confucius-DNA database," it quoted Deng Yajun, a DNA
expert from Beijing Institute of Genomics at the Chinese Academy of
Science, as saying.

How the scientists had obtained a sample of Confucius's DNA was not
explained.

"One of the most difficult things in the project is to confirm the
blood connections of these numerous claimants," said Kong Dewei, one of
the editors of the new family tree, who has the same Chinese surname of
Confucius, "Kong" in Chinese.

Association with Confucianism was fatal during the tumult of the
Cultural Revolution, when "old China" and its traditions were condemned
as reactionary by fervent Communist Red Guards.

But since the 1990s, Beijing has been encouraging Confucianism as part
of celebrating traditional Chinese culture -- and of pushing a message
of obedience to those in power.

Douglas Richardson

Re: Confucian confusion and DNA: OT

Legg inn av Douglas Richardson » 17 jun 2006 01:19:27

Dear Tony ~

Thanks for the interesting post regarding Confucius and his
descendants. Much appreciated.

Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah

Website: www. royalancestry. net

"Tony Hoskins" wrote:
From Reuters UK. Perhaps of some interest.

DNA test to clear up Confucius confusion
Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:45 AM BST

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese claiming Confucius for an ancestor can now
use a genetic test to prove a direct blood connection to the grandfather
of Chinese social mores, a state newspaper said on Friday.

The fifth-century BC social philosopher's ideas of filial piety and
deference to elders influence Chinese society and politics even today.

Now his countrymen can establish a genetic link in a test that will
cost more than 1,000 yuan ($125), according to the Shanghai Morning
Post.

"We would like to help these unconfirmed claimants to test their DNA
and to establish a Confucius-DNA database," it quoted Deng Yajun, a DNA
expert from Beijing Institute of Genomics at the Chinese Academy of
Science, as saying.

How the scientists had obtained a sample of Confucius's DNA was not
explained.

"One of the most difficult things in the project is to confirm the
blood connections of these numerous claimants," said Kong Dewei, one of
the editors of the new family tree, who has the same Chinese surname of
Confucius, "Kong" in Chinese.

Association with Confucianism was fatal during the tumult of the
Cultural Revolution, when "old China" and its traditions were condemned
as reactionary by fervent Communist Red Guards.

But since the 1990s, Beijing has been encouraging Confucianism as part
of celebrating traditional Chinese culture -- and of pushing a message
of obedience to those in power.

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