Jewish genetic disorders

The "Jewish" genetic disorders are a group of conditions that are unusually common among Jews of eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent. Although these diseases can affect Sephardi Jews and non-Jews, they afflict Ashkenazi Jews more often - as much as 20 to 100 times more frequently.

Scientists believe that this high incidence among Ashkenazi Jews occurred because of at least two processes: the "founder effect" and "genetic drift." The "founder effect" refers to the chance presence of these genes among the "founders" or ancestors who emigrated to eastern Europe at the time of the Diaspora (70 A.D.). Prior to this time we presume that these disorders were no more common among Jews than among any other people.

"Genetic drift" refers to the increase in frequency of the genes for these disorders in this group, as a result of chance. Because Jews tend to not marry outside of their faith and community, the relatively high frequency of these genes among Jews did not pass into other communities, nor were their effects diluted by the introduction of other genes from outside the Ashkenazi Jewish community.

For more detailed information visit the Jewish Genetic Disorders Program created by a physician at Children's Memorial Hospital.