DNA Database For Holocaust Survivors

By matching DNA samples from Holocaust survivors, the DNA Shoah project plans to link families scattered during the genocide and its aftermath:

Cash has moderate expectations for the number of identifications that will be possible, given that entire families were wiped out, and survivors are quite elderly and may not be prepared to contribute DNA. "The chances are not high, but wouldn't it be incredible if, 60 years later, we were able to reunite siblings or other relatives who were not aware that they had family who survived?" Cash says. "We have a tiny window of time where some of the victims of the Nazis are still alive and where DNA laboratory and information technology can meet the challenge of DNA analysis and comparison on a massive scale."

DNA and the Holocaust [The Scientist]

Image: Galit Rozenbaum