Infertility link in iceman's DNA

BBC ^ | 2/3/2006 | By Rebecca Morelle BBC News science reporter

[Jack Hammer]

Probably not even the first time it's happened; certainly won't be the last.

[Modok]

This poor bastard might have gotten a big laugh over all the speculation the SBs have to say about him

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Fractal Trader. I would ping it, but I'm going to do the digest pretty soon. Actually, it's already nearly 2:30 AM, so I'm going to ping this, and do the digest when I get up in the morning. :')

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[Dustbunny]

So, he died during the last global warming period?

[ApplegateRanch]

The reporter has left out the little fact that he had copper poisoning from smelting ore in an enclosed space (during the winter, probably).

Well, I distinctly remember that when he was found, his dingus was missing.......

The Copper Clapper Caper?

[ApplegateRanch]

Sorry; #45 was supposed to be for both of you.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

If not for global warming he would never have been found.
In addition to more canadian and siberian wheat, yet another benefit of global warming.

[Pharmboy]

In case you were not on any ping list...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Isn't a hereditary gene for infertility, an oxymoron?

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-ice04.html

Italy's iceman a sterile outcast?

February 4, 2006

ROME -- New DNA analysis shows that a 5,000-year-old mummy found frozen in the Italian Alps may have been sterile -- a hypothesis that would support the theory that he may have been a social outcast, officials said Friday.

Franco Rollo, an anthropologist and ancient DNA specialist, also determined that the man's genetic makeup belonged to one of the eight basic groups of DNA occurring in Europe, although his particular DNA belonged to a subgroup that has been identified for the first time, officials said.

The South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Italy's northern Alto Adige region, where the remains are housed, announced the findings of Rollo's research Friday.

Rollo's findings also appear in the February issue of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, the statement said.

''The possibility that he was unable to father offspring cannot be eliminated,'' Rollo reported. ''This not improbable hypothesis raises new questions concerning his social rank within his society.''

A group of hikers discovered the well-preserved body in 1991.

AP