Groundbreaking DNA analysis of Adolf Hitler's blood has uncovered extraordinary findings about the dictator's ancestry and possible health conditions. Painstaking scientific testing by a team of international experts has been able to debunk a rumour on whether Hitler had Jewish ancestry (he didn't) and determine that he had a genetic disorder which affects the development of sexual organs—all from an old blood-stained swatch of fabric.
While clickbait headlines have focused on whether the Nazi dictator had a micropenis and only one testicle, more serious are the findings that his DNA showed very high scores—for a predisposition to autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Does this mean he had these neurological conditions? Absolutely not, say the experts—it's not a diagnosis. Nevertheless, concerns have been raised about stigmatization and how ethical the research was, prompting the question: should it have been done at all?
I agonised over it, says Prof Turi King within the first few minutes of Saturday's Channel 4 documentary on the research, Hitler's DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator. The genetics expert told the BBC that when she was approached to take part in the project, she was aware of the potential implications of studying the DNA of someone like Adolf Hitler—I'm not interested in sensationalizing things. But it was likely to be done by someone at some point, and at least under her watch she could ensure the research was done with academic rigor and guardrails in place.
The bloodied swatch of fabric—now 80 years old—was cut from the sofa in Hitler's underground bunker, where he killed himself when Allied forces descended on Berlin. The results, which are now under peer review, are indeed fascinating, marking the first time Hitler's DNA has been identified.
However, complicated and controversial are the results suggesting that Hitler may have had one or more neurodiverse or mental health conditions. While polygenic scores pointed to a high predisposition for such conditions, experts caution that these findings are not diagnoses. Critics, including genetic scientists, argue that the conclusions drawn may oversimplify complex human behaviors.
As the debate continues, the ethics of the project remain a central concern. Should Hitler's DNA have been analyzed without the possibility of consent? Given his historical actions, does that negate any right to privacy? The documentary touches on these issues while highlighting the importance of careful interpretation of the findings, particularly in light of the risks of stigmatization.
