Posted on 09/27/2002 9:09:41 AM PDT by aculeus
The last natural blondes will die out within 200 years, scientists believe.
A study by experts in Germany suggests people with blonde hair are an endangered species and will become extinct by 2202.
Researchers predict the last truly natural blonde will be born in Finland - the country with the highest proportion of blondes.
But they say too few people now carry the gene for blondes to last beyond the next two centuries.
The problem is that blonde hair is caused by a recessive gene.
In order for a child to have blonde hair, it must have the gene on both sides of the family in the grandparents' generation.
Dyed rivals
The researchers also believe that so-called bottle blondes may be to blame for the demise of their natural rivals.
They suggest that dyed-blondes are more attractive to men who choose them as partners over true blondes.
But Jonathan Rees, professor of dermatology at the University of Edinburgh said it was unlikely blondes would die out completely.
"Genes don't die out unless there is a disadvantage of having that gene or by chance. They don't disappear," he told BBC News Online.
"The only reason blondes would disappear is if having the gene was a disadvantage and I do not think that is the case.
"The frequency of blondes may drop but they won't disappear."
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LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Endangered species?
The problem is that Europe, the fons et origo of all blondes, is contracepting and aborting itself into oblivion.
Blondes must be stupid.
They suggest that dyed-blondes are more attractive to men who choose them as partners over true blondes.
What? True blonds can't get dates? What????
I've heard this over the years, but it isn't so. All my family is blond (naturally). Both of my brothers married black-eyed and brown-haired wives and both had blond hair and blue-eyed daughters. Both of these daughters now have children who do have brown hair (light), but they had to marry brown-haired men to get them. One of my brothers had a child with an Italian woman and that child had blue eyes too! So, us blondes have heartier genes than all this!
"The only reason blondes would disappear is if having the gene was a disadvantage and I do not think that is the case. "
I don't see any disadvantge to a blonde in jeans!
My entire family, being hispanic, are dark. Black/Brown hair, dark skin. Two of my sisters married "anglo" men with brown hair.. well lo and behold, each sister has a natural blonde daughter.
However, you CAN have a "blonde" gene and not BE blonde, so it is likely that my family has a blonde gene floating around (I have a great-great grandfather who was from Germany).
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