DNA Test to Identify Confucius’ Descendants

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 Friday.

The test to determine a genetic link with the 5th century BC social philosopher will cost more than $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’ DNA was not explained.