(MENAFN) An international team of scientists has analyzed five locks of Beethoven’s hair and determined that he had a genetic predisposition to liver disease and was infected with the hepatitis B virus. The German composer died at the age of 56, suffering from progressive hearing loss, chronic illness, and cirrhosis of the liver, as determined by his autopsy in 1827 in Vienna. The new findings suggest that there were multiple factors behind his liver disease, including genetics, viral infection, and alcohol consumption. While genetic clues from his hair were able to determine some of the causes of his health issues, the reasons for his deafness and severe stomach illnesses remain a mystery.
With the 196th anniversary of the composer’s death approaching, the study published in the journal Current Biology sheds light on Beethoven’s health problems, which sometimes limited his creative work. The composer himself had expressed a desire for doctors to study his health problems after his death. Since then, scientists have tried to piece together Beethoven's medical history and have offered a variety of possible explanations for his many maladies. However, the recent advances in ancient DNA technology allowed researchers to uncover new genetic clues.
The study authors focused on five locks of hair that are “almost certainly authentic,” coming from the same European male, according to the study report. The researchers looked at possible genetic causes of his three main symptom complexes, including the progressive hearing loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and liver disease that ultimately led to his death due to liver failure. Co-author Markus Nothen of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University Hospital of Bonn said that Beethoven had “a strong genetic disposition to liver disease” and sequences of hepatitis B were detected in his hair.
In conclusion, the study of Beethoven’s DNA has provided fascinating insights into the genetics behind his health issues, specifically his liver disease. While the reasons for his deafness and stomach illnesses remain unknown, the study has shed light on the multiple factors that contributed to his liver disease. The analysis of Beethoven’s hair offers a unique glimpse into the health of one of classical music’s undisputed masters.
MENAFN27032023000045012476ID1105867468
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.