Is President Shimon Peres the eighth wonder of the world?
Does he have a special
gene that enables him to work at a pace that would tire out men half his age?
That is the question that the Galilee Genetics Analysis Laboratories is looking
to answer.
When Peres visited GGA, in Katzrin, in the course of a tour of
the Golan Heights on Monday, he was pleasantly surprised when his hosts
suggested they conduct a DNA test on him to learn if there really is such thing
as a ‘Shimon Peres gene’ and to study its properties.
Peres
unhesitatingly agreed, and smilingly told analysts “The risk is all
yours.”
GGA wants to study the president’s genome to learn exactly what
makes him tick. The company’s findings may one day be used to create a prototype
for genetic engineering to increase longevity, promote good health and guarantee
the sound functioning of the brain.
Even his political opponents marvel
at the president’s mental and physical stamina as he traipses around the world
and across the country, delivering speeches and off-the-cuff remarks, holding
media conferences, keeping up with Facebook and Google, delving into brain
research, keeping up with local and world news – all this and more a few months
shy of his 88th birthday.