“Many people have noted the similarities,” officials confirmed. Scientists involved in the study declined to comment.
The White House responded Thursday to news that researchers may have recovered Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA from Renaissance-era artwork, praising what officials called an “American-led discovery” and noting that the president “has always identified with Leonardo’s creative instincts.”
The da Vinci DNA discovery, published January 6 as a preprint by an international team of more than 30 scientists, found matching Y chromosome markers on a red chalk drawing and letters from Leonardo’s family. The research was funded by private foundations and conducted across institutions in the United States, Italy, Austria, and Spain.
“This is what American science leadership looks like,” a White House official said, adding that the president had been briefed on the findings. “He was very interested. He’s always said he has very good genes.”
Officials Suggest Expanding Genetic Preservation Program
Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller indicated the administration was exploring whether similar DNA preservation techniques should be applied to “historically significant American leaders” to ensure their genetic contributions are not lost to future generations.
“Leonardo had no direct descendants. That’s a tragedy,” Miller said. “We should learn from that.”
Asked whether specific leaders had been identified for genetic preservation, Miller declined to elaborate but noted that “some people are more historically significant than others” and that “the science is there.”
Dr. Charles Lee of the Jackson Laboratory, a co-author of the study, confirmed his team had not been contacted by the administration and declined to comment on comparisons between the president and Leonardo da Vinci. “Our research focuses on establishing methodological frameworks for cultural heritage science,” he said.
Researchers Note Limitations of Findings
The study found Y chromosome markers belonging to haplogroup E1b1b, a genetic lineage present in 2 to 14 percent of Tuscan males. Scientists cautioned the DNA could belong to any number of curators who handled the artifacts over five centuries.
“Establishing unequivocal identity is extremely complex,” noted David Caramelli, an anthropologist at the University of Florence involved in the project.
The president, asked about the discovery during a separate briefing, said Leonardo “did very beautiful work” and asked whether he had “ever done any buildings, because I’ve done buildings.”
Aides indicated the question was rhetorical.
Developing.
About the Author
