Genetic researchers have attempted to explain the reason behind the longevity of Ozzy Osbourne, revealing that the iconic rocker is actually something of a “genetic mutant”.
Quick question, have you ever taken a look over at Ozzy Osbourne and wondered, “how the hell is he still going strong at 70?”
To be fair, this isn’t exactly a strange question to ask. After all, we’re talking about a bloke who has abused drugs and alcohol, and lived a life so rough that stories of him biting the heads off bats and snorting a line of ants barely scratch the surface.
However, science has now come to the rescue, revealing that the reason for Osbourne’s longevity may in fact be some strange genetics.
As The NY Post reports, 2010 saw a number of scientists from Knome Inc. take a look at the human genome with the intent of working out why exactly it is that Ozzy Osbourne has managed to survive a life of hard-living.
In the new book, Pleased To Meet Me, pharmacology and microbiology professor Bill Sullivan reveals that the researchers discovered a genetic mutation in Osbourne’s DNA that they had never seen before, noting that this was likely the reason that he has managed to outlive many of his contemporaries.
“Ozzy is indeed a genetic mutant,” Sullivan explains, looking at how humans are shaped by their DNA, and the biological factors that play into our behaviour.
“After all these years of thinking we were free agents, we’ve come to realize that most, if not all, of our behavior is not of our own volition.”
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Ozzy’s wife Sharon responded to the news with little surprise for the artist’s longevity, noting that “I’ve always said that at the end of the world there will be roaches, Ozzy and Keith Richards.”
While Ozzy Osbourne is indeed something of a medical marvel, this year has not been kind to the rocker, having been forced to cancel a number of tour dates – including an appearance at Australia’s Download Festival – due to a bout of pneumonia.
Check out ‘Crazy Train’ by Ozzy Osbourne:
