The Physical Lincoln

[RJNorton]

(07-08-2012 05:31 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  I remember watching the Nat Geo special entitled, "Lincoln's Silent Killer" which followed Dr. Sotos trying to extract Lincoln DNA from a piece of Laura Keene's dress. The biggest problem I have with Dr. Sotos' theory is Lincoln's lifespan. According to his own research those with MEN2B develop tumors early on and die from cancer at young ages. If Lincoln did have this genetic disorder, it is extremely unlikely he would have lived into his fifties as he did.

Now I suppose it's possible that Lincoln might have had cancer when he was killed. That would be seemingly impossible to prove, though. Even if he did have cancer, I seriously doubt it was caused by an incredibly rare genetic disorder.

Hi Dave. Over the past few years I have exchanged numerous e-mails with Dr. Sotos. I certainly agree with you, and I have mentioned numerous arguments that I think support my position. He has always been very polite in his responses, but I cannot get him to budge. He really is convinced of his theory. I don't think he'd mind if I share a part of an e-mail with the forum that I received from him in 2011; I think it shows how much he feels his theory is right:

"The pictures of Tad and Willie are the most compelling pieces of evidence, and since the book was published I have found a startling picture showing that Willie's lips were abnormal in size as well as shape. These findings cannot be dismissed. There is simply no explanation other than MEN2B for the findings clearly visible in photos of Abraham, Willie, and Tad. Anyone skeptical of MEN2B has to come up with an alternate theory to explain the lip abnormalities. I have tried very hard to do so, but there is nothing in the medical or genetics literature that can."

I am a retired history teacher with no medical background at all. I certainly do not have the knowledge to discuss the intricate details with Dr. Sotos, but perhaps you can see that he really thinks he's on the right track with his theory.

I also agree with Ed Steers and others who have argued Lincoln did not have Marfan's syndrome. I should note that Dr. Sotos also agrees that Lincoln did not have Marfan's.