Posted on 04/14/2022 12:06:44 PM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal
New research shows that people with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor. Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye color of all blue-eyed humans alive on the planet today
"Originally, we all had brown eyes," said Professor Hans Eiberg from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. "But a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a "switch," which literally "turned off" the ability to produce brown eyes." The OCA2 gene codes for the so-called P protein, which is involved in the production of melanin, the pigment that gives colour to our hair, eyes and skin. The "switch," which is located in the gene adjacent to OCA2 does not, however, turn off the gene entirely, but rather limits its action to reducing the production of melanin in the iris -- effectively "diluting" brown eyes to blue. The switch's effect on OCA2 is very specific therefore. If the OCA2 gene had been completely destroyed or turned off, human beings would be without melanin in their hair, eyes or skin colour -- a condition known as albinism.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Damn.
is it the guy running the fertility clinic?? LOL
My aunt used to tell me that people with brown eyes were full of sh** right up to here (pointing to her eyes). If their eyes were hazel, they were just a quart or so short.
That’s me now I feel special 🤪
My eye doctor once said...Behind every brown eye is a blue eye.
Hahahahahaha...I sure am glad I didn't have a mouthful of coffee there!
Ping.
5.56mm
Is it Frank Sinatra?
Well, since so many actors and actresses have blue eyes, I can only assume that stupidity is linked to the same gene that produces that eye color.
Space aliens!
Why didn’t the author introduce me to my ancestor? I’m doing a lot of genealogical research now and I’d like to fill in the tree.
My wife used to do HR for a private company run by an old lady who thought she knew everything. That lady would only hire folks with blue eyes.
“Scientists” LOL
Since it is a recessive gene, does that mean this single ancestor didn’t have blue eyes…. And that enough of his ancestors interbred that eventually they started having blue eyed babies?
Glad I/we are so unique.
I wonder what other specific DNA changes happened, at the same time, to the same folks that lost the melanin in the Iris of the eye; and why the DNA change took place; what caused it?
Six out of my eight kids were born with bright blue eyes but they didn’t stay that way. Most of them ended up with green/hazel. My husband has blue eyes and my father’s side of the family has green and blue eyes.
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