Friday, August 30, 2013

Is red hair really a sign of persistent starvation?

red hair inheritance
 on Fiery Auburn Hair
red hair inheritance image



Magic * Me


I heard someone say it is. Like, if a people's been starved through generations or something their kids begin to have red hair and something. That true?


Answer
Not at all lol.

Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein.
Red hair can originate from several changes on the MC1R-gene. If one of these changes is present on both chromosomes then the respective individual is likely to have red hair. This type of inheritance is described as an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Even if both parents do not have red hair themselves, both can be carriers for the gene and have a redheaded child.

In rare cases red hair can be associated with a disease or genetic disorder.

In cases of severe malnutrition, normally dark human hair may turn red or blonde. The condition, part of a syndrome known as kwashiorkor, is a sign of critical starvation caused chiefly by protein deficiency, (melanin found in protein is what genetically determines hair color, so a deficiency in protein would lead to a loss of eumelanin, which is an amino acid responsible for making hair and skin darker) and is common during periods of famine. (This is probably what you are referring to. this does Not happen genetically or change a persons genetics. It is the direct result of loss of protein due to starvation. It would not be carried on through generations.)
One variety of albinism (Type 3, aka rufous albinism), sometimes seen in Africans and inhabitants of New Guinea, results in red hair and red-colored skin.
Red hair is found on people lacking pro-opiomelanocortin.

What hair color would our kids have if my boyfriend and I had a kid?




Amber


I have red hair and my boyfriend has dark brown hair. We are comparing if our child would have red hair (like its momma) or dark brown hair (like its daddy). We both have brown eyes and thick hair. What hair color will show up on our child if we have a child together? His dad is dark brown hair and his mom has light brown hair and my mom has blonde hair and my dad has black hair.


Answer
Human hair colour inheritance is very complicated and it involves something like 6 different genes, if my memory serves me correctly. Therefore it's very random and hard to determine with any uncertainty. If I were a human genetics specialist I might be able to give you a better idea, but I think it's unlikely that the child will have red hair, as it has a tendency to 'skip' generations, as it were. Dark brown is most likely, but they could still potentially have quite light brown hair.

Just wait and see! :)




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