Scientists hope for a glimpse of King Richard III through DNA analysis

Scientists are to analyze the DNA from the remains of Richard III to create the world’s first complete genome sequence for a named historical figure.

The process could reveal his hair and eye color, his susceptibility to conditions including Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, whether he was lactose intolerant, and whether the scoliosis that contorted his spine was genetic. It could also show if any of the surviving portraits, all completed years after his death, are accurate.

The extent to which genes influence character is still a matter for scientific debate, so while the experiment may reveal whether the last Plantagenet king had straight or curly hair, it is unlikely to establish whether Richard was likely to have murdered his way to the throne.

Read the full, original story: Richard III’s DNA to be analysed to create complete genome sequence

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