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Super-strong Toddler

 
 
grant
16:02 / 24.06.04
From the Yahoo News:

Somewhere in Germany is a baby Superman, born in Berlin with bulging arm and leg muscles. Not yet 5, he can hold seven-pound weights with arms extended, something many adults cannot do. He has muscles twice the size of other kids his age and half their body fat. DNA testing showed why: The boy has a genetic mutation that boosts muscle growth.

...The boy's mutant DNA segment was found to block production of a protein called myostatin that limits muscle growth. The news comes seven years after researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore created buff "mighty mice" by "turning off" the gene that directs cells to produce myostatin.


"Now we can say that myostatin acts the same way in humans as in animals," said the boy's physician, Dr. Markus Schuelke, a professor in the child neurology department at Charite/University Medical Center Berlin. "We can apply that knowledge to humans, including trial therapies for muscular dystrophy."



Odd that Ganesh from here, a government doctor, would choose this time to "visit" Berlin on "holiday," hmmm?
 
 
Lionheart
16:07 / 24.06.04
I bet that the kid's name is Eugene.
 
 
Cheap. Easy. Cruel.
18:02 / 24.06.04
I read this article earlier today and was wondering if this condition comes with any health risks.
 
 
Hieronymus
21:34 / 24.06.04
From what I've read, the facts aren't completely in as to any detriments to his mutation.

Still, very cool stuff. I find it fascinating that his genetics could fundamentally help unlock muscular dystrophy.
 
 
Lord Morgue
10:30 / 25.06.04
"Diddums diddums diddums what a strong grip-(CRUNCH) AIEEEEE!"
 
 
grant
13:47 / 25.06.04
Apparently, yeah, his mother has a single version of the same mutation that was doubled on his chromosomes, so she's pretty darn strong (thanks to a slightly lower myostatin level), but the kid is even stronger, since he's blocking twice as much myostatin.

And, according to the radio report I heard, his heart could well be in trouble. They don't know.

I am reminded of Andre the Giant's words: "They do not live long, the very large and the very small."
 
 
Tuna Ghost: Pratt knot hero
20:22 / 26.06.04
Picturing him saying that makes me kinda sad.
 
  
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