Girl that doesn’t age baffles scientists: a 16 year old is an infant
Wed, Jun 24, 2009
Post filled in: Feature Post, Health, Other
Physiologically speaking, Brooke Greenberg is an infant with the mind of toddler. Only thing is that she turned 16 just this Janary. It’s hard to estimate the parents opinion, especially as I wasn’t able to find almost any constructive data.
“Why doesn’t she age?” Howard Greenberg, 52, asked of his daughter. “Is she the fountain of youth?”
The same question (among many others) has been asked by scientists, but no answer has been found until now. What they do know is that according to their knowledge, her case is unique, and the same opinion is shared by her doctor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine pediatrician Lawrence Pakula.
“Many of the best-known names in medicine, in their experience … had not seen anyone who matched up to Brooke,” Pakula said. “She is always a surprise.”
She is not aging, but it seems that her body is developing as independent parts out of sync. If you were to look at photos, she is unchanged, and there’s no indication that she would be in fact getting any older, and as far as everybody knows, if this continues on, she has no reason to die. She also has a sister, but she’s perfectly normal, so there aren’t any hints here to help solve this mystery.
Even geneticists are perplexed by her, and they haven’t been able to find out anything wrong (or terribly right) about her, so they just named her condition ’syndrome X’. After all these years, the family seems to have given up hoping for answers and just takes things one day at a time, believing that she is a ‘miracle’, or an ‘angel’. It was a bit surprising to see such an amazing case (to say the least) covered so little. I have been able to find a few articles about this, but the media should be all over it, and some of the world’s top minds should be covering this, so why isn’t this happening? It’s not a hoax, because somebody did an article about this 4 years ago and the situation was unchanged, so perhaps a bit more interest should be taken in this, but without turning her into a lab rat.
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Andrei is no scientist, but from an early age, he has been fascinated by science; that's why he went to college, and signed up for Geophysics. Feeling that there's a huge gap between science and average people, he rallied TP, started ZME Science, and gave it a green twist too.
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June 26th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
photoshopped
June 27th, 2009 at 1:50 am
PARIAH- This is an actual news clip. Google the girl’s name, they did an article about for for MSNBC 4 years ago.
June 27th, 2009 at 1:50 am
*about HER for msnbc
June 27th, 2009 at 11:13 am
to me, she looks different and larger on bottom photo than on top one??? she looks much larger on bottom one. can anyone explain this?she is growing without aging???
June 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
@debbie: as I said, I found information pretty scarce, but from what I could find out, her body didn’t modify in any way (from a certain time), outside or inside, so it could be something with how the photos are taken, or it could be that she did grow in the first months of her life. I wasn’t able to find out just what that certain time is, and it’s possible that nobody knows precisely.
Still, I find it hard to believe that NOTHING about her changed, I’d love to know what happens inside her mind, with the brain cells especially. If any of you guys do better at researching, please let me know
June 30th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I’ve read old information on Brooke before, but your page reminded me about her. After I read this I searched on Google for some new results. I was surprised because there actually are a few newer results, but they all give the same information. It really makes you wonder how much testing they are actually doing on this girl. I would think that with more testing and everything maybe they could find something to help her over time, but who knows. (sorry I just felt like talking about what I read.)
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 am
She only has 3 fingers (and a thumb) on each hand.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Its not covered a lot because if it was known worldwide, Religious sheepish people would go crazy, that’s a bigger issue the media is trying to avoid.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:35 am
by that I mean if whore Mary convinced Joseph that her cheating ways was actually a “gift from god” and this running joke is still lasting for over 2,000 years, than who knows what new religion would be made for a kid who cant grow
July 17th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Interesting article, but sadly I’m just commenting to reply to zwarrior.
In which case, the bible is a /story/. Written many many years after anything “happened” and when stories travel by word-of-mouth, they often shift and change (Telephone, anyone?)
Thusly, I don’t believe Mary of Joseph really existed, more that they were fictional characters.
And in the future, who’s to say that people won’t start a religion around superman? Obviously Superman is a pretty great guy. He saves people and does extraordinary things. (Sounds like some bible character I know…)
;D Maybe they will start a religion around this girl. You never really know.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Caitlin,
There is some evidence that Jesus was indeed a real person. Whether or not he perform miracles dsnt matter, but his life was documented therefore Mary and Joseph most like existed.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Interestingly, she’s not the only one. Jerly Lyngdoh of India, who is in his late 20s, also inhabits a toddler’s body (although in his case he does have adult teeth).
July 25th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Trod, I think you’re right, she has only three fingers and a thumb, maybe something genetic has changed in this girl an some genes were “mixed”, as far as I know there are specific genes responsible for aging…
August 5th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
All the so called ‘evidence” of jesus ever existing has been proven (and prosecuted) to be a complete hoax. Besides, if you think of how silly the christian, and therefore muslim and jewish, religions are, then the bible begins to look more like a myth along the lines of Egyptian, Greek, or Roman mythological gods. First. we have the anomoly in genesis concerning Adam and Eve, where their children, both boys (Cain and Abel) went out from their parents into the world and found wives. Wait a second. Weren’t Adam and Eve the first two people? And if Cain and Abel were the 3rd and 4th, then where the hell did these other people come from? Second, I have an issue with a religion that tells us that the supreme being decides to come down to earth, and he (or as they say, his emissary, the holy spirit) has sex with Mary, the wife of another man, and Mary has a son out of this extramarital affair, who claims to be the son of god. And then, some churches say, after the rapture, those caught up in it will become the wife of god. So, guys who are in this religion have no choice but to learn to like close personal relationships with another male. Maybe that’s why there is so much homosexuality in the churches.
About this girl: has anyone thought that she is not an infant, but more like a toddler in these pics? So, obviously she aged enough to get to toddler level. I would like to know if she is able to talk, learn all the things a normal 16 year old girl would learn. Has she been educated? Does she communicate? I think the reason that the media isn’t covering this is because it is almost unbelievable. And if the parents are so protective, then the truth about her would, naturally, be impossible to discern. I, for one, am not convinced.
August 9th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Alan:
Your ignorance of the Bible is astounding for someone who pretends to know so much. Go do a little more reading and then come back with the Genesis story. I would like to see this “proven and prosecuted” information. Where is it?
August 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@ Alan:
I have never read or heard of such a lame interpretation of the Bible. It is obvious you have never actually read it for yourself or taken the time to try an understand the context it was written in. You, sir, should never speak of the Bible again. You have been declared too incompetent to deserve an opinion. Way to go, genius.
August 9th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
You wallow in your ignorance and brain washed thinking. Ignorance is bliss. I suppose your ecstatic! That’s the problem with your religion. You don’t question things. You just absorb what is told to you from other ignorant people. None of you know, or have read, the bible enough to know what it says. I have, several times over. In both English (King James) Greek, and Hebrew. I’ve also read the Koran, the Talmud, the Nag Hammadi texts (In their original Aramaic and Mishnaic Hebrew,) and the Dead Sea Scrolls, among others. I am not the ignorant one. I have a degree in theology. What do you have? Evidently your god didn’t bless you with brains. But you’re willing to defend your stupidity, I see. Why don’t you try reading a little bit, and maybe even learning a little something about what you say you believe in, before you spout off at just anybody.
August 9th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
As much as I would like to chime in on the religious discussion, it’s in no way germane to the topic of the page and should probably find its way to a more appropriate forum.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
oye vey!
August 10th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Alan:
Funny you claim to be so knowledgeable and tell others to do some reading but you can’t look 12 pages into the Bible and read that in Genesis 5:4, Adam and Eve clearly had more then two male children.
I will not start to respond to your other “arguments” in which you have skewed the Bible completely out of context. Your points are disturbing and most have nothing in common with the true message of the Bible.
August 10th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Just after reading your article on Brooke, I was flipping through the TV stations and came across a documentary on her called “Child Frozen in Time” on TLC. Apparently she did grow a bit between ages 4 and 5, but she’s remained at 17 pounds and 30 inches long since then. Brooke has three other sisters ages 22, 19, and 13, all normal. Brooke’s DNA has been examined by geneticists who stated that they saw what they expected to see in a 16 year old girl’s DNA. Brooke attends a special needs school. Also, she cannot speak, walk, or swallow.
Just wanted to contribute-
August 10th, 2009 at 9:08 am
@ Alan:
Haha. How would you know what I have and haven’t read? I am amused by your insistence that I am ignorant. I guess it is easier to believe whatever you want when you can dismiss everyone else as too dumb to think for themselves. Btw, I do question what other people tell me is the truth.I seriously question your assertion that you have a degree in Theology and have seriously read the Bible for yourself. Educated people are willing to answer questions and consider other possibilities rather than mount a scathing attack on people who have a different perspective. Your insistence that your knowledge is absolute and your education is perfect will insure your continued ignorance.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Christianity:The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own Father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically accept him as his master,so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree…… yeah..I guess I gotta go with Alan on this one.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
This isn’t a religious forum, just to let everyone know.
Also, Andrei keep posting information if you find out any more! It’s weird how all things age, even plants, but this little girl has been the same for 16 years? Great article!
August 11th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
These last comments have been just Religulous. But seriously, this type of odd incident just shows how little we know about the universe and about ourselves.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Very interesting story. Maybe her genes harbor some sort of information that would help to extend our lives or stop us from aging altogether.
There are a lot people working hard on this now:
http://www.mfoundation.org/
Also,
Isn’t it funny how the comments on almost every site inevitably lead to a completely off topic war between commentators?
August 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Jesus was an alien.
Also this bitch is an X-Man
August 24th, 2009 at 4:33 am
The documentary about her is called, “Child Frozen in Time” and it airs Tues 8/25 @ 6pm and again Wed 8/26 @ 1am on TLC (Channel 280 on DirecTV)…Check it out! -Also everyone is going to have a different opinion on religion…although some ppl’s viewpoints are completely asinine and you really want to leave a reply, there is absolutely nothing that you can type that will change their minds…so lets leave religion out of it and agree to disagree
If you want to argue religion go to church, or do like JW’s do and go to someones house and talk religion face to face, so that ppl who want to read about Brooke and not religion can…
August 31st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I just watched a documentary about her on TLC (in Canada…) maybe a month ago! A very interesting case indeed. Check out the documentary if you can find it anywhere, it’s called ‘The Child Frozen in Time’. Really a medical mystery. Great post!
September 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I know a case very similar to this one, here in Venezuela. She is 50 years old, and she looks like a 10 year old. The doctors say she has cerebral palsy, but I consider it very similar to this case
September 19th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The girl has a medical issue that causes a growth stunt. Christianity is so screwed….it isn’t even funny. I HAVE read your Bible. And what you scorn is what you believe. And your people say Murder is a Sin, yet that is mostly what is in your bible that your “God” did, and Chrisians burnt people on a stake (Salem Witch Trials) Killed people who didn’t se eye to eye (The Spanish Inquisition). And incest is looked down on yet Lot slept with his daughters…..and we “Supposedly” came from two people….and you cannot even agree on anything….because in the Hebrew text that your Bible was derived from EVE was in fact NOT the first woman….Lillith was. She argued with Adam about sexual positions…and therefore was put out of Eden by “God”….. another man (Sexism)….who had sex with a betrothed woman ( coveting * Also a Sin*). And Cannibalism and Vampiricy is scorned yet you worship a Christ who says *Eat of my Flesh and Drink of my Blood* Who was *Raised in 3 days*……a Zombie who *Raised Lazerus from the dead*. Not to mention you are not to suffer a sorcerer to live….yet you worship a Christ who conjures Miracles, walks on water, and a “God” who caused the Plagues of Egypt, not to mentin a man who talks to god (Spirit talking……AKA Soothesayer) a man who talked to a burning bush, a man who talked to a donkey, a man who interpreted Dreams, and you have a Blood Curse in the bible. Oh I could go on and on. And yet we who are for example Pagan…..are wrong……..um…..newsflash most of your bible is Pagan based.
Oh and the best one “Thou shall have no other Gods before me* Yet you worship a Christ whom goes to his father for you. And whom seemingly claims to be himself is……sounds like your “Christ suffers from Dementia or is a liar. Jealousy is one of your *7 deadly Sins….yet you have and worship a jealous “God”. And if you argue this or deny any of it…….you argue against and/or deny your own religion. And if you have an issue with what I have said please contact me at phoenixfyerstorm@hotmail.com and I will gladly give you the verses that speak of these things.
September 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Agh, so many anti-religious people on this. It’s always good to see other point of views, though I’ll continue to believe in God with all my heart. Interesting post, never heard of this, I would have expected to hear about news like this on the History channel.
September 27th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
The story-book nature of the bible does little to enhance anybody’s lives and ’spiritual’(mental) wellbeing. The bible could have done so much more to better the world but only leads us into more wars in the name of God. If there was a Divine Being, He would have made us smart enough not to believe in Him.
That being said, just because Christianity seems illogical doesn’t mean people should default to atheism, as see is the fashionable thing to do now.
I certainly do hope that those engaging in arguements on religion here are only doing so out of little fun and do not feel an absolute necessity for conflict.
Sorry, for this solely religious post, to any anyone who was interested in the girl.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:26 am
So right Rogue.
Paganism can be the only religion (if you want to call it religion)
It is about us nature and everything else.
And yes so many symbols that modern religions use and call their own have been around long before they were even thought of.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
It’s sad that over a childs miss fortune (or blessing) becomes a religious war. I was truly interested in this child, and why she won’t grow or age… some look to her for the answer to the fountain of youth… but you know what, after reading these posts, and how angry people can get, off topic, and the way of the world today, I DON’T want to live a longer life than what God has planned for me. And I’m sorry for my children who will have to battle through this life after I am gone. I hope we acn keep on topic, and keep peace with one onother from here on.