Super Strength Toddler

[Mesden]

No really, it's true. (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070530/strong_toddler_070530/20070530/)

Liam has a rare genetic condition called myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, or muscle enlargement. The condition promotes above-normal growth of the skeletal muscles; it doesn't affect the heart and has no known negative side effects, according to experts.

Liam has the kind of physical attributes that bodybuilders and other athletes dream about: 40 percent more muscle mass than normal, jaw-dropping strength, breathtaking quickness, a speedy metabolism and almost no body fat.

...

Liam can run like the wind, has the agility of a cat, lifts pieces of furniture that most children his age couldn't push across a slick floor and eats like there is no tomorrow -- without gaining weight.

"He's hungry for a full meal about every hour because of his rapid metabolism," Dana Hoekstra said. "He's already eating me out of house and home."

Liam's condition is more than a medical rarity: It could help scientists unlock the secrets of muscle growth and muscle deterioration. Research on adults who share Liam's condition could lead to new treatments for debilitating ailments such as muscular dystrophy and osteoporosis.

...

A blood test determined that Liam did not have the genetic mutation that blocks all production of myostatin. Rather, he has the myostatin blockade, his mother said. His is one of roughly 100 known cases in the world, according to experts and medical literature.

Now all he needs it the flashy Red, White and Blue outfit and he's the reincarnation of Capitan America!

[Demetrius]

Man, what I wouldn't give for that condition, uber-metabolism and muscle mass naturally... I hope this kid turns out ok, that and I look forward to seeing him play in college sports, when I'm older and more out of shape.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Well it's about damn time, the superhero evolution begins now! Just think, he's this strong as a toddler, just how powerful will he be when he's fully grown? Will be be able to fling cars about and punch through brick walls?

[Tendronai]

What a freak.

Seriously, that's a cool story. I feel sorry for his parents, though. Can you imagine the kind of damage he could do when he gets angry when he's older? He's already punching through walls now!

[Doppler12]

Well it's about damn time, the superhero evolution begins now! Just think, he's this strong as a toddler, just how powerful will he be when he's fully grown? Will be be able to fling cars about and punch through brick walls?
He'll have the strength to punch through brick walls(maybe...) but the mutation doesn't increase bone strength, Punching a brick wall will still break his hand.
And for flinging cars, That would be an amazing feat, next he'll paint himself gray and call himself 'Sulk'.

[Demetrius]

You don't really need that much of increased bone strength, bone is stronger the harder it is flexed, and with the muscle he'll have to support it I'd be more worried about just snapping tendons.

[Mannix]

Isn't this kind of an old story? I remember hearing about a kid with the same condition a while back, and he was in middle school at the time. If I recall, he's also a gifted pianist.

*shrug* May 30, 2007 isn't that old. =P
The story, not the article.

[Mesden]

*shrug* May 30, 2007 isn't that old. =P

[Tyrazial]

I hope he becomes a billionaire. Than he can fight crime!

[Meister]

Isn't this kind of an old story? I remember hearing about a kid with the same condition a while back, and he was in middle school at the time.
I recall Brian posting on the front page about another or possibly even the same kid with the same condition a while back.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

No really, it's true. (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070530/strong_toddler_070530/20070530/)



Now all he needs it the flashy Red, White and Blue outfit and he's the reincarnation of Capitan America!

But would he really want to be that lame?

[Loyal]

At his age, and immediately following it? With that kind of strength?

It'll be his lifelong dream.

[ArlanKels]

Isn't this kind of an old story? I remember hearing about a kid with the same condition a while back, and he was in middle school at the time. If I recall, he's also a gifted pianist.


The story, not the article.


Like..one to three years old. It was before I came to these forums, at least.

[Mesden]

Bah, fine, killjoys.

[POS Industries]

Well, some of us didn't hear about it beforehand, so it's new to us, motherfuckers!

And I, for one, think it's awesome and wish to isolate his genetic mutation and resequence my own DNA appropriately.

That is you create a damned Captain America! This kid's more like Juggernaut or something. You know, the one from the retarded non-616 continuities where he didn't get his powers from magic and is just another stinkin' mutant.

I hate that Juggernaut.

[ArlanKels]

You mean ultimate juggernaut.
From the ultimate series.

Monkeyface.

[42PETUNIAS]

I wonder if this kid would be allowed to participate in sports. I'm guessing he could be amazing at weight lifting or something, hell, most sports would have a spot for him.

[greed]

I wonder if this kid would be allowed to participate in sports.

He'd have to be allowed to play whatever sport he wanted. Just imagine trying to justify otherwise in court.

[Darth SS]

I imagine it wouldn't be difficult.

"And why wasn't this young man allowed to play Rugby?"

"He can break through brick walls. Other players are substantially less sturdy than brick walls."

[ArlanKels]

He'd have to be allowed to play whatever sport he wanted. Just imagine trying to justify otherwise in court.


Well, I had a blood disease that dealt with an inability to clot properly. this subsequently resulted in a disallowance to play any contact sports whatsoever. However, i had the weakest form, one that barely has much impact on me outside of things like surgery or extensive internal damage.

I can imagine that they would simply comment that "he has an unnaturally greater amount of muscle mass due to a genetic disorder". Said disorder could result in the child easily cleaving people in twain, given that at the ripe old age of 17 he's already PUNCHING HOLES IN WALLS.

they might actually decide to rule that his disorder is equatable to usage of steroids, resulting in a disallowance to play given the significantly unfair advantage.

Personally I think he needs to sign up with the government secretly to be a super hero. Give him some high tech gadgetry and blam, insta-hero.

Wonder if he'll mentally grow properly or not...hope they keep tabs up on this kid.

[greed]

Ah but that's a liability issue, not being able to play due to risk to yourself, saying a kid can't play due to genetic advantage would be far more difficult. Unless they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the kid would be a risk to everyone around him it would never fly, liely he'd just get shoved into a higher age class until he reached pro.

And really, even trying to stop someone playing due to genetic advantage would have every civil liberties lawyer who's read Xmen, seen Gattica or even thought about eugenics go completely apeshit.

[Nique]

I'm curious what this condition is like in adults. do they retain the same amount of strength in relation to their body weight, or do the effects weaken more dramatically over time?

Anyway, yeah. Lucky kid, esspecially since he had all those health problems before, things could've turned out way different for him. I'm happy for him. I hope he doesn't turn into a jerk.

[Karenaide]

That is awesome. I wonder if there are other strains... like maybe super-sight? Hehe... laser vision...