Jewish genome expert, Professor Karl Skorecki of the Technion, who made the landmark discovery indicating that the majority of kohanim were descended from a single common male ancestor, gave the prestigious Ron Arad Lecture in London on Monday evening. Following the lecture, Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped Israeli soldier and Technion student, Ehud Goldwasser, spoke to guests on her unrelenting efforts to secure the release of her husband.
Over 300 guests filled the Royal College of Physicians to hear from Professor Skorecki, Director of Nephrology and Molecular Medicine at the Technion who has made headlines around the world with his groundbreaking stem cell and genetic research. His lecture included his discovery earlier this year that some 3.5 million, or 40 per cent, of Ashkenazi Jews are descended from four “founding mothers” who lived in Europe 1,000 years ago. Professor Skorecki also spoke about the major ethical and social ramifications of his stem cell research, especially relating to Jewish law, and the need for such work to be carried out under appropriate ethical supervision and public scrutiny.
He said:
In an emotional speech to guests after the Lecture, Karnit Goldwasser spoke of her recent international visits to secure the release of her husband who was taken on July 12th by Hezbollah. She talked about Ron Arad, who like her husband, was a Technion student at the time of his capture. She commented:
Tony Bernstein, Executive Director of the British Technion Society, commented: “We are very pleased that this year’s Ron Arad Lecture was given by the world’s leading Jewish genome expert. His discoveries have given us an incredible insight into our genealogical heritage. Professor Skorecki’s expertise has also recently developed a novel way of using stem cells to advance cancer research and to test anti-cancer therapies. He is an inspirational speaker and an excellent example of Israel’s position at the forefront of scientific research.”
At this time, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ron Arad, Ehud Goldwasser and Israel’s other ‘missing in action’ soldiers. Events such as the Ron Arad Lecture are instrumental in keeping the memories of Israel’s missing soldiers alive. We applaud the strength and dignity shown by Karnit this evening, and indeed, since the capture of her husband, and the Technion family will do everything we can to help bring Ehud home.”
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The Ron Arad Lecture
The Ron Arad Lecture series was established 5 years ago by the British Technion Society to keep alive the memory of Technion student and captured Israeli soldier, Ron Arad. Previos speakers have been Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield, Professor Peretz Lavie, Professor Lord Robert Winston and Nobel Laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover.
Professor Karl Skorecki – biography
The only child of Holocaust survivors, Professor Skorecki was born and raised in Toronto. He received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1977 and conducted his post-graduate clinical and research training at the Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospitals. In 1984, he established a research program in the areas of kidney disease, molecular biology and human genetics at the University of Toronto Division of Nephrology. He was subsequently appointed professor and director of the Division of Nephrology in the Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, and research scientist and director of the Nephrology Division at the Hospital for Sick Children, also in Toronto.
After a sabbatical at the Weizmann Institute in 1991, Professor Skorecki and his family decided to make aliyah to Israel and he joined the Technion faculty in 1995. In addition to conducting research in molecular biology and human genetics at the Technion, Prof. Skorecki has served as a clinical nephrologist at Rambam Medical Center, and as director of the Nephrology Department and of the Rappaport Research Institute in Haifa.
Professor Skorecki’s innovative work has helped attract numerous graduate students and research fellows, and funding from major international agencies. He has published his research results in numerous professional publications, and has delivered lectures at international scientific meetings and conferences throughout the world. In addition, Prof. Skorecki has received several prizes for his research and biomedical innovations.
Professor Skorecki and his wife, Linda, have five children and four grandchildren, all of whom live in Israel.
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