Breaking News from 144 Years Ago: Was Lincoln Dying of Cancer When He Was Shot?
The answer is, (a)maybe and (b) scientists now have the technology to find out. But, here’s the question raised in this Philadelphia Inquirer article: Should we find out?
Here’s the long (Lincoln) and short (synopsis) of it. A small Philly museum has part of a pillowcase that has some of Lincoln’s blood and brain matter on it from after the shooting. There is strong scientific evidence to suggest that Lincoln was indeed dying of a rare genetic disorder:
John Sotos, a cardiologist, an author, and a consultant for the television series House, wants to test the artifact to confirm what eyewitness accounts and 130 period images already tell him: Lincoln had a rare genetic cancer syndrome called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B).
But Sotos’ request has stirred an ethical and scientific debate on the board of directors of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, an off-the-beaten-path Civil War institution in the city’s Frankford section.
Should the museum grant permission for the testing and enjoy the spotlight when the results are announced?
Or should it reject Sotos’ request, avoid damaging the artifact, and honor the wishes of Robert Todd Lincoln to leave his father in peace?
The answers will come at a museum board meeting, likely to be held May 5, during a time of heightened interest in Lincoln. This year is the bicentennial of his birth.
The Beast Who Slumbers reaches out to the ethicists in his not insubstantial audience. Or even the unethical (you know who you are): If you were on the Museum board, how would you vote, and why would you vote that way?
‘Bulo expects answers. Don’t make him come after you…
We know ‘Bulo has some rasslin’ experience so we don’t want him to come after us.
I would definitely vote to have it tested. I think the scientific value of the results outweighs the privacy concerns of his deceased son. I think it’s been long enough after his death that it can be done.
On one hand, why not? On the other hand, who cares?
hmm….
If noone cares, then why not. New info wins over ignorance and happiness of people who aren’t around to give a damn.
I vote for the test.
There are reasons to care, if you’re a historian.
For example, Lincoln’s bouts of depression are legendary. What if his depression was exacerbated by his knowledge or, more likely, sense, that he was suffering from a serious ailment?
Would that in any way have impacted the decisions he made? ‘Bulo has no answers, merely questions.
As a history buff, hell, yeah, go for it.
But as a freelance ethicist and general SOB, I’d have to rain on the parade by looking more closely at this quote from Sotos:
“In the case of Abraham Lincoln, it has the potential to do more, by expanding clinical knowledge of a rare and most serious medical condition.”
Just how would it do that?
Why not? Here is an alternative history question: let’s say Lincoln is not shot, but lives another 3 years, dying in office in 1868.
How is history different?
In the absence of some genuine scientific benefit, I vote nay.
A man is more than a collection of cells.
“How is history different?”
He presides over Reconstruction, his popularity sinks, and the Republican Party dies with him. Modern-day conservatives are thus unable to draw upon Lincoln’s image as the “first Republican President” to bolster their own anti-civil rights credentials.
I think the scientific and historical knowledge gained would be invaluable.
I don’t think the Republican Party dies with him. I think Reconstruction continues long past 1876 if Lincoln had lived.
think about how things would have gone if Lincoln had died in office, but of cancer. i guess the same case study could be applied if FDR had been assassinated…..
the test wont change the violent way he died (a gun… go figure) it just gives the chance to have an interesting conversation about “what if”
I had always heard that he had undiagnosed Marfan Syndrome (especially since the first diagnosis didn’t occur until 1896 accordiing to this article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3065140
In my line of work, I’ve come accross two people with the disorder. Both died very young from complications and both had been previously undiagnosed.
Meatball,
I think it would be really interesting to find out if he had Marfan’s or some other unknown illness.
I’ve been away, and meant to post about this when I got home because of the HUGE significance.
First, I doubt any artifact will be destroyed due to the refined procedures, and miniscule sample needed for testing.
Secondly, current wisdom is to counsel women w/ Marfan’s to avoid pregnancy, due to strain on the enlarged, but friable vascular system. ALWAYS a high, high, high risk pregnancy (and this being said by me-the original non-alarmist). Have had 2 patients DIE outright in the delivery room, in these modern days and times, because the vascular collapse is so rapid and diffuse. Both were at major medical centers. One woman, fully aware of consequences, A team in place as scheduled, still with fatal outcome. The other, marginal if any pre-natal care, helicoptered in from somewhere, cracker jack team again assembled and a repeat fatal outcome.
The point being, if what these women had was in fact MEN2B, that was slow progressing, what a huge relief in genetic counseling for women wishing to conceive. It would give them an exit diagnosis now, leading to appropriate treatment, in lieu of the misnomer Marfan, and the sequence of events to unfold.
Oh, and ethics? That’s for the living. We honor our dead. What would be a greater honor to the dead, than to do this ethical test for the living? Thank you Mr. Lincoln, I vote yes, and maybe we can name the disease after you instead of MEN2B? You didn’t really see a purpose in that building in DC did you?
Whoops, failed to mention, both babies did survive. But what a mixed outcome for those fathers.
Joanne: ‘Bulo can only say that you are by far one of the most fascinating bloggers on this site. You are almost never predictable, and you bring unique knowledge and perspective to this board.
There are many times when the Beast Who Slumbers disagrees with you, but he always wants to read what you have to say on any given topic. You almost always cast a different light on things.
Keep on posting!
Geez thanks Bulo. But I didn’t get the job huh?
If ‘bulo had one to give you, he would. After he took care of himself first…