Unraveling the Mysteries of Beethoven's Health and Hair through DNA Analysis.
New DNA testing on hair samples thought to be from Ludwig van Beethoven revealed a genetic risk for liver disease and hepatitis B late in life. The study also found that at least one high-profile sample sold for thousands of dollars may not actually be from the composer. The Hiller lock, the most famous sample used in the study, was determined to be from a woman. The study did not provide definitive answers about Beethoven's lifelong progressive hearing loss.
