HEALTH MATTERS | Claudia Kalb

The Secrets In Lincoln’s DNA

Experts say it might be possible to extract bits of Lincoln's DNA, assemble a gene and then make a diagnosis.

By Claudia Kalb | NEWSWEEK
Published Feb 14, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Feb 23, 2009

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  • Posted By: shaque @ 03/04/2009 3:14:17 AM

    Show some respect to this great personality once and for all. This man was the reincarnation of any biblical prophets sent by God for the deleverance of evil at a very critical time in the history of mankind.

  • Posted By: mshoaib_ee @ 02/22/2009 7:42:26 AM

    Instead of doing synthesis and diagnosis of deceased person scientisit should concentrate on the live persons.

  • Posted By: Shoholanana @ 02/20/2009 12:09:38 PM

    The "boys" comments show.............a lack of knowledge. The south belows to the southeastern tribes of American Indians as does the north, east and west. We'll decide who goes or stays. Ponder that "boys".

  • Posted By: ciompi @ 02/16/2009 4:19:08 PM

    To Redboy 56: Can you be more specific about South separation? Why cheers to 9/11 group?

    • Posted By: Redboy56 @ 02/16/2009 7:48:58 PM

      Yes I can be much more specific. The Southern states merely wish to be separated from the government of the US. Its all we wanted in 1860. Its all we want now. If you would kindly honor our wishes, we would become your ally. If we have to do under duress, then you are our enemy. As such, anything that causes havoc in the north is to our advantage. We will likely take advantage of actions weakening the north to escape the bonds you have placed on us for the last 144 years. We are going to do it one way or the other.

      • Posted By: sregis @ 02/19/2009 3:40:19 PM

        i've plenty of friends and family from the so-called south...none are remotely secessionists. you, sir, are clearly a minority living a sadly outdated life.

        • Posted By: Shoholanana @ 02/20/2009 11:59:22 AM

          Where does your comment come from???!!!!@?!!?

      • Posted By: moedecat @ 02/16/2009 10:44:24 PM

        He's no "...retired college professor..." any man who taught at an institution of higher learning would know that his "...Its all we want...." should be; "...It's all we want...". WHaa-WHaaaaa..... BUSTED

      • Posted By: moedecat @ 02/16/2009 10:41:57 PM

        He's no "retired college professor"... Any man who taught at a university would know that he's got his punctuation and/or spelling wrong. He should have written; "..It's all we want...", not; "...Its all we want..." Wha-whaaaa.... BUSTED

      • Posted By: chris007 @ 02/16/2009 10:30:28 PM

        ignorant redneck, just because you are a professor does not mean anything, i have met A LOT of retarded professors. you probably taught at a community college ha ha

    • Posted By: Redboy56 @ 02/16/2009 7:36:40 PM

      The "9/11 group" brought war to the north. This was an action that was 140 years overdue. Southerners wish them well, and hope they will continue their efforts.

  • Posted By: Michael CA. @ 02/17/2009 9:44:37 AM

    Another modern appliance that's made the South more literate and "blended in" to the rest of the U.S. ? Air-Conditioners

  • Posted By: Celtscorp @ 02/17/2009 7:55:01 AM

    Why do we "need" to know what he had? Don't the achievements of the man's life speak volumes enough already?

  • Posted By: Celtscorp @ 02/17/2009 7:54:06 AM

    Why do we "need" to know what he had? Don't the achievements of his life say enough on their own?

  • Posted By: mediamom100 @ 02/17/2009 7:49:25 AM

    Perhaps once and forall we could solve the debate about his lineage. Numerous texts have described Lincoln as having African ancestry. We could resolve this longstanding issue once and for all.

  • Posted By: MrsJJS @ 02/17/2009 6:27:47 AM

    What purpose would this serve? Although Lincoln is dead he still deserves the right to privacy. Let the man rest in peace.

  • Posted By: teachme0005 @ 02/17/2009 6:13:12 AM

    Being "highly regarded" has nothing whatsoever to do with his assasination! He WAS, after all, known as the GREAT EMANCIPATOR, yet we do not celebrate his birthday by closing public schools and offices NOR do we name boulevards in every major city after him. Just how much does one have to accomplish to be "highly regarded" anyway?

  • Posted By: GS synergy @ 02/17/2009 2:17:03 AM

    What ever happened to the rest of President Lincoln's remains? Couldn't his body be exhumed and test it for the deseases mentioned above? There would be more material to test, possibily in better condiction than those few museum pieces.

  • Posted By: GS synergy @ 02/17/2009 2:09:21 AM

    What happened to his remains that were buried (the rst of his whole body)? Couldn't you exhume his body and test those remains for the deseases mentioned above,? This would leave the museum pieces for show? There should be more material available to do DNA testing which potentially would be in a better, preserved condition to do whatever testing you wish to perform,

  • Posted By: 420aintjustanumber @ 02/17/2009 12:03:55 AM

    Redboy56 speaks for the Klan! Preach on brother!

  • Posted By: zoomanjeff@hotmail.com @ 02/16/2009 4:09:20 PM

    Hey redboy
    is your aunt and Mama the same person you ignorant piece of dung

    • Posted By: Redboy56 @ 02/16/2009 7:55:51 PM

      Mr Zooman, you seem to be upset that i have attacked your scared cow. Why dont you go to a library and find out the truth about your Lincoln. As to me being ignorant, I'm a retired college professor. I probably have a lot more education than you do. I'm certainly better informed about the realities of history.

      • Posted By: chris007 @ 02/16/2009 10:32:36 PM

        you ignorant redneck, just because you're a college professor does not mean anything, i have met many college professors who are not very bright. where did you teach? redneck community college?

    • Posted By: Redboy56 @ 02/16/2009 7:38:51 PM

      I say my dear fellow, did my comments upset you? Burst your little yankee bubble? Isn't that too bad.
      Cheers Now.
      An Unreconstructed Southerner

  • Posted By: gandalf0531 @ 02/16/2009 8:51:51 PM

    And my Holstines aren't "scared"!! College professor LOL!

  • Posted By: gandalf0531 @ 02/16/2009 8:45:24 PM

    And I for one will chip in to buy you a ticket to whatever country you think is better, but it will be a one way ticket!!

  • Posted By: gandalf0531 @ 02/16/2009 8:38:38 PM

    Redboy, what do you mean by 9-11 group?? As a retired southern firefighter, who volunteered to go help at ground zero, I am offended by your 9/11 group postings. Firefighters, EMS personell, and law enforcement from every corner of the US came to help, without out regard to race, color, creed or sex. We came as Americans, and if you don't want to be part of us, there are many countries who would appreciate your narrowmindness.

  • Posted By: schrieber @ 02/16/2009 7:27:33 PM

    Abraham Lincoln was an exceptionally robust man who engaged in strenuous work for extended periods of time prior to his becoming a lawyer. It is unlikely he could have even survived the rigors of 19th century life on the prairie had he been hampered by such physically-limiting illnesses, let alone split rails for a living. Those who have speculated as to his being a victim of exotic and highly debilitating inherited diseases are only trying to sell books and draw attention to themselves, and are poor doctors to boot.

  • Posted By: Lancaster Grandma @ 02/16/2009 7:24:53 PM

    Wouldn't he have just loved it! He loved learning so much he taught himself! I say, DO IT!!

  • Posted By: Lancaster Grandma @ 02/16/2009 7:21:55 PM

    Wouldn't he have loved it! He loved education so much, he taught himself. I say - do it!

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