The recent criticisms against the Book of Mormon and DNA are better classified as propaganda rather than scientifically based discoveries.
In order to imply that DNA studies contradict the claims of the Book of Mormon, critics embrace extremely narrow interpretations of the Book of Mormon text that are not justified. The criticisms break down when the the claims are placed in an historical setting.
Recent research published in the National Geographic by Brian Handwerk declares: "Nearly one-third of Native American genes come from west Eurasian people linked to the Middle East and Europe, rather than entirely from East Asians as previously thought, according to a newly sequenced genome." Click Here
Another separate study demonstrates that DNA that was present as recent as 500 years ago on the American continent could be completely lost in today's indigenous inhabitants. Researchers "sequenced 92 whole mitochondrial genomes from pre-Columbian South American skeletons dating from 8.6 to 0.5 ka [8600 to 500 B.C.E], allowing a detailed, temporally calibrated reconstruction of the peopling of the Americas in a Bayesian coalescent analysis. . . All of the ancient mitochondrial lineages detected in this study were absent from modern data sets, suggesting a high extinction rate." (Bastien Llamas, et al, "Ancient mitochondrial DNA provides high-resolution time scale of the peopling of the Americas," Science Advances, [Accessed April 6, 2016].)
Critics who demand that Lehi's DNA be detectable today possess unrealistic expectations and are uninformed. See also Bec Crew, "Girl mummy reveals how early American lineages were wiped out by European migration."
Scientific studies also indicate that the Americas were populated with so many people in 600 BC that the DNA of one family would have changed nothing.
Despite the claims of several publications, no genetic studies have been designed or performed to identify the original DNA genome of the Lehites. Consequently, claims that they never inhabited this continent are based upon speculation.
It is impossible to accurately identify the DNA sequencing that could be used to positively identify individuals of Jewish ancestry despite its easily identifiable social grouping through the ages. The Lehites were not Jewish, and discovering their exact genome would be even more difficult.
Lehi’s colony comprise perhaps two dozen members. That they might have had a detectable impact in the gene pool already existing on this continent is naïve.
Additional Resources:
Statements by 20th century Church leaders regarding the relationship between native Americans and Lehi
FAIRMORMON: The Book of Mormon and DNA
Does DNA evidence refute the Book of Mormon by Jeff Lindsay
“DNA and the Book of Mormon,” from LDS.org
“The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint,” by Ugo Perego
The Tempest in a Teapot: DNA Studies and the Book of Mormon by Brant Gardner
DNA and the Book of Mormon: A Phylogenetic Perspective – by Michael F. Whiting
DNA and the Book of Mormon – by David G. Stewart Jr.
DNA and the Book of Mormon (2006 FAIR Conference) by David Stewart
DNA and the Book of Mormon by Greg Kearney
DNA and the Book of Mormon by J. Cooper Johnson
DNA and the Book of Mormon (2005 FAIR Conference) by Ryan Parr
Dr. Scott Woodward: DNA and the Book of Mormon by Dr. Scott Woodward
Is an Historical Book of Mormon Incompatible with DNA Science? (PDF) by Michael Ash
Nephi’s Neighbors: Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations (2003 FAIR Conference) by Matthew Roper
The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint by Ugo Perego
The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon (2003 FAIR Conference) by D. Jeffrey Meldrum
Who Are the Lamanites? (PDF) by Michael Ash
Addressing Questions surrounding the Book of Mormon and DNA Research – by John M. Butler
“A Nation Now Extinct,” American Indian Origin Theories as of 1820: Samuel L. Mitchill, Martin Harris, and the New York Theory – by Richard E. Bennett
A Few Thoughts From a Believing DNA Scientist – by John M. Butler
Before DNA – by John L. Sorenson, Matthew Roper
Detecting Lehi’s Genetic Signature: Possible, Probable, or Not? – by David A. McClellan
How Many Nephites?: The Book of Mormon at the Bar of Demography byJames E. Smith
Nephi’s Neighbors: Book of Mormon Peoples and Pre-Columbian Populations – by Matthew Roper
New Light: The Problematic Role of DNA Testing in Unraveling Human History – by John L. Sorenson
Often in Error, Seldom in Doubt: Rod Meldrum and Book of Mormon DNA – by Gregory L. Smith
Prolegomena to the DNA Articles – by Daniel C. Peterson
The Book of Mormon and the Origin of Native Americans from a Maternally Inherited DNA Standpoint – by Ugo A. Perego
The Lamanites Portrayed in the Book of Mormon – by Sidney B. Sperry
Who Are the Children of Lehi? – by D. Jeffrey Meldrum, Trent D. Stephens
Is Decrypting the Genetic Legacy of America’s Indigenous Populations Key to the Historicity of the Book of Mormon?, Ugo E. Perego and Jayne E. Ekins
Adding Up the Book of Mormon Peoples by Steven J. Danderson
DNA and the Book of Mormon by David Stewart
Best of Fair 8: DNA and the Book of Mormon
FAIR Issues 49: More Limitations in Book of Mormon DNA study, Michael R. Ash
FAIR Issues 50: Book of Mormon DNA issue one of science, not theology, Michael R. Ash
FAIR Issues 46: Who were Nephites scattered and smitten by?
FAIR Issues 47: Using DNA to prove or disprove the Book of Mormon
FAIR Issues 48: Founder effect, genetic drift, bottlenecks and the Book of Mormon, Michael R. Ash
FAIR Issues 52: Do Mormon scientists have competency on Book of Mormon DNA, Michael R. Ash
FAIR Issues 53: Does DNA prove or disprove the historicity of the Book of Mormon, Michael R. Ash
Mormon Fair-Cast 211: What has the Church said about DNA studies and the Book of Mormon?
Mormon FAIR-Cast 132: The Book of Mormon and New World DNA
Mormon FAIR-Cast 103: Does DNA Research Disprove the Book of Mormon?
Mormon FAIR-Cast 111: More on DNA Evidence and the Book of Mormon
pt 1, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
pt 2, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
pt 3, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
pt 4, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
pt 5, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
pt 6, Nephi’s Neighbors, Others in The Book of Mormon
Part 1 The Book of Mormon and New World DNA
Part 2 The Book of Mormon and New World DNA
Part 3 The Book of Mormon and New World DNA
The Book of Mormon and New World DNA
pt 1 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 2 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 3 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 4 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 5 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 6 Daniel C. Peterson on DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 1- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 2- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 3- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 4- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 5- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 6- DNA and The Book of Mormon
pt 1 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 2 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 3 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 4 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 5 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
pt 6 The Children of Lehi: DNA and the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon No Jewish DNA
Cohen Haplotype and the DNA argument
DNA and The Book of Mormon by Dr. Ryan Parr
DNA and The Book of Mormon clip, part 1
DNA and The Book of Mormon Explained full-length video
Hebrew DNA among Mayan populations?
Populating the Americas: DNA and The Book of Mormon
Problems with DNA Being Used as Evidence Against The Book of Mormon
Origin of the Native Americans (full-length)