Our world has no shortage of
mysteries: Where did life begin? Who killed
JFK? Will the BP oil spill ever end? Why is Ozzy
Osbourne still alive? For this last conundrum, at least, we may have
an answer.
Researchers at the genome sequencing company Knome, based in
Massachusetts, are mapping the heavy metal singer's entire genome to get
to the bottom of why rock and roll's self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness
is still kicking and screaming despite decades of relentless drug and alcohol abuse.
Genome sequencing is an exhaustive process that ultimately determines
the order of the 3 billion chemical building blocks -- the bases
abbreviated as A, T, C, and G -- that make up the DNA of a person's 23
different pairs of chromosomes.
The first full genome took 13 years to be sequenced and was finished
in 2003. Today, analyzing a genome takes about three months and costs
around $40,000.
Researchers hope there is some key to Ozzy's longevity in his DNA. It's
no secret that Ozzy has abused an astounding number of drugs. This
Science Channel report says Ozzy has described himself as a "modern
miracle."

Related Links:

---

 

• World's
  Oldest Known DNA Discovered


• Artificial
  Life Springs from Manmade DNA


• HowStuffWorks.com:
  Are we 10 years away from artificial life?


• Personal
  DNA Tests Arriving In Stores Near You

---

The hallowed history books of rock and roll are littered with rock stars
who died of drug overdose, from Janis Joplin to Jimi Hendrix. But
through it all, Ozzy's health has been remarkably unscathed.


Nathan Pearson, the director of research at Knome, tells the Sunday
Times of London, “Sequencing and analysing individuals with extreme
medical histories provides the greatest potential scientific value,”
said Nathan Pearson, director of research at Knome."


As if to rub it in your face, he is about to begin writing a health
advice column for the Sunday Times of London. One piece of advice
that you can expect from this
column, "to a mother for putting her young son off cigarettes,
including: “Throw some [cigarette] ash on his cornflakes.”
By no means is Ozzy the only rock star who's been able to survive
decades of
substance abuse. Researchers still have so much to learn from Keith
Richards and David Bowie!
Photo: Referns/Getty Images

DNA Test Could Explain Why Ozzy Osbourne is Still Alive

Analysis by David
Teeghman
Sun Jun 20, 2010

DISCOVERY NEWS