Real-life Irish giants traced to 18th century street performer

Eochaidh

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Using DNA extracted from Charles Byrne's teeth, the researchers speculate that they could trace the roots of the Irish study participants and the Irish Giant's inherited gene mutation for gigantism to a common ancestor who lived an estimated 1425 to 1650 years earlier -- or 57 to 66 generations ago.
Cari Nierenberg writes: Brendan Holland recently got some huge news about his family medical tree. Holland, who's in his late 50s and lives in Dungannon, Ireland, (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland ed.) found out through his participation in a research study that he "was genetically related to the Irish Giant."

The Irish Giant, whose real name was Charles Byrne, came to London in 1782 from Northern Ireland to make a living off his towering height as a street show performer. Today, Byrne's 7-foot-7-inch skeleton is a medical marvel on display at The Royal College of Surgeons in London.

From MSNBC: http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/...iants-traced-to-18th-century-street-performer
 
Cari Nierenberg writes: Brendan Holland recently got some huge news about his family medical tree. Holland, who's in his late 50s and lives in Dungannon, Ireland, (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland ed.) found out through his participation in a research study that he "was genetically related to the Irish Giant."

The Irish Giant, whose real name was Charles Byrne, came to London in 1782 from Northern Ireland to make a living off his towering height as a street show performer. Today, Byrne's 7-foot-7-inch skeleton is a medical marvel on display at The Royal College of Surgeons in London.

Didn't exist in 1782.
 

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