In 2010, a Massachusetts-based research company called Knome used a blood sample taken from Ozzy Osbourne to map out his genetic code and attempt to figure out how he has survived after years of abusing drugs and alcohol. Researchers at Knome hoped that analyzing Ozzy 's blood and DNA would give them insight into how drugs are absorbed in the body, and why some people can survive extreme substance abuse while others can't. They discovered a never-before-seen mutation that may explain Osbourne 's ability to consume alcohol in great quantities and several genetic variations that predisposed him to drug and alcohol dependencies.
In his new book, "Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs and the Curious Forces that Make Us Who We Are" ( National Geographic ), Bill Sullivan , a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, writes that " Ozzy is indeed a genetic mutant." Sullivan looks at the surprising ways we're shaped by our DNA and biological factors that dramatically affect how our genes are expressed.
Although he's sober now, Ozzy estimates that he took drugs and used alcohol for more than 40 years, according to Rolling Stone .
He also survived a 2003 bike accident in which he broke his neck and was diagnosed a few years back with a genetic disorder that is similar to Parkinson's Disease.
Last year, Ozzy spoke to Orange County Register about his substance abuse and how he finally became sober. He said: "I don't drink alcohol anymore…I don't smoke tobacco. I don't use drugs… I'm doing good right now. I now think, 'How did I think going into a bar and getting smashed and doing all that cocaine was fun?'"
He added: "I have come to think that if right now you had a gun, a bag of cocaine and a gallon of booze and you said, 'Take your pick,' I'd pick up the gun. It's not worth it.
"I don't believe in making New Year's resolutions, so I won't be making one this year. I just hope that God keeps me alive."
Ozzy previously held a gig as a health columnist for England's Sunday Times . In the column — which was largely ghostwritten by his memoir co-writer, Chris Ayres — Ozzy admitted: "By all accounts, I'm a medical miracle. When I die, I should donate my body to the Natural History Museum."
In early April, Ozzy postponed all his 2019 tour dates, both in North America and Europe, as he recovered from an injury sustained while dealing with his recent bout of pneumonia. The singer fell at his Los Angeles home, aggravating years-old injuries from his 2003 ATV accident that required new surgery.
Most of the 2019 shows on what is being billed as Ozzy 's last full world tour have been rescheduled beginning in February 2020. Fans are being asked to hold on to their original tickets, as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates.
The 70-year-old Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee has battled a variety of health issues since kicking off his farewell "No More Tours 2" tour last summer. He contacted a staph infection in October that forced the initial postponement of his North American tour dates.
In January, Osbourne scrapped his European tour because of an upper respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia, forcing him to cancel dates in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
