REFRESHING THE SAMARITAN GENE POOL:

Samaritans look further afield to find their future

* The last of an ancient sect have turned to eastern Europe to safeguard their survival, reports Martin Chulov from Jerusalem
* February 03, 2007 (The Australian)

YAIR Cohen is one of the last of the Holy Land's smallest sect, and does not want to let the bloodline die with him.
Facing extinction on the one hand, or grave genetic risks on the other, he did what perhaps no other Samaritan has done in 3000 years - turned a long way from home to find a bride.

Four years ago, Cohen, now 45, returned to Mount Gerizim near the West Bank city of Nablus with a blonde, blue-eyed, fair-skinned 18-year-old Ukrainian woman. Like any budding groom, he was nervous as he took her to meet his parents.

But Cohen had an extra dose of the jitters. His father's blessing would mean much more than his happiness. It would also be an endorsement of a new and critical way out of the Samaritans' chromosomal decay.

[...]

The union did receive the sought-for blessing, but so far has not resulted in any children. I wish them well.