Groundbreaking DNA analysis of Adolf Hitler's blood has uncovered some extraordinary findings about the dictator's ancestry and possible health conditions.
Painstaking scientific testing by a team of international experts has been able to debunk a rumor on whether Hitler had Jewish ancestry (he didn't) and determine that he had a genetic disorder which affects the development of sexual organs - all from an old blood-stained swatch of fabric.
While clickbait headlines have focused on whether the Nazi dictator had a micropenis and only one testicle, more serious are the findings that his DNA showed very high scores - in the top 1% - for a predisposition to autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Does this mean he had these neurological conditions? Absolutely not, say the experts - it's not a diagnosis.
But nevertheless, concerns have been raised about stigmatization and how ethical the research was, prompting the question - should it have been done at all?
I agonized over it, says Prof Turi King, within the first few minutes of Saturday's Channel 4 documentary on the research, Hitler's DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator.
The genetics expert told the BBC that when she was first approached to take part in the project several years ago, she was very aware of the potential implications of studying the DNA of someone like Adolf Hitler - I'm not interested in sensationalizing things.
But, she says, it was likely to be done by someone at some point, and at least under her watch, she could ensure the research was done with academic rigor and with all the caveats and guardrails in place.
The scientists are confident it is indeed Hitler's blood, as they were able to match the Y-chromosome with a prevailing DNA sample from a male relative collected previously. The documentary-makers asserted that the analysis has gone through the standard ethical review process for academic work.
These kinds of findings are what make them both fascinating and useful, researchers opine. The marrying of history and genetics opens up discussions about complexities behind historical figures like Hitler.
On the ethical side, there are pressing questions on whether it's appropriate to analyze the DNA of someone responsible for unspeakable atrocities.
Despite the controversies, the findings are stirring a debate about the relevance and implications of genetics in understanding historical figures, underscoring the fine line between expressing interest in understanding the past and potentially oversimplifying complex issues surrounding behavior and atrocities.
