Why was Adolf Hitler the way he was? As simple as the question sounds, it is still difficult to answer more than 80 years after the dictator’s death – and every new attempt at an explanation causes excitement. A British documentary now aims to provide clarity with an analysis of Hitler’s DNA.
“Hitler had an undetected genetic sexual disorder,” said The Times newspaper in its coverage of “Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator.” The film will be released in the UK this Saturday. The documentary is advertised as: “For the first time ever, experts identify Hitler’s DNA. What do his genes reveal about Hitler’s origins and lineage, his neurology and his drives?”
Kallmann syndrome discovered in Hitler’s DNA?
According to the reports, the documentary’s research team comes to the conclusion that they have discovered evidence of Kallmann syndrome in Hitler’s genetic makeup. In people with this syndrome, puberty does not occur or is not complete. In boys, for example, little body hair develops and the voice may not break. The other sexual characteristics cannot develop as usual in adults.
However, it is difficult to draw conclusions about personality. “Some of the findings are scientifically sound and will contribute to the historical debate,” writes the newspaper “The Guardian.” However, conclusions about Hitler’s peculiarities are scientifically problematic.
The DNA analysis is reportedly based on a blood sample from a sofa that US troops found in the Führerbunker after Hitler’s death (April 30, 1945) and the German defeat in World War II. Hitler is said to have killed himself here with a pistol shot. Proof that it is the dictator’s blood was said to have been provided as early as 2008 through a comparison with the DNA of a man with common paternal ancestors. dpa
