Blondes 'to die out in 200 years'

BBC On Line | Friday, 27 September, 2002, | Unsigned

[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."

[OldBlondBabe]

My husband has brown hair and eyes. All three of my kids are blonde. One has brown eyes, the other two have blue eyes.

[OldBlondBabe]

"Don't count on anyone having blonde hair for an entire lifetime."

I've been naturally blonde all my life.

[Thud]

We're an endangered species!

[Jonah Hex]

Oh, I don't know.... I'm blond and both of my kids are blond. Admitably, we're all "dirty blond" (either a darker shade of blond or a lighter shade of brown), but our hair lightens to almost white in the summer sun.

Now my wife, on the other hand, is "bottle red".... (smile)

[Marysecretary]

I guess I won't worry my blonde head off over this one. In 200 years, I won't even care if there are blondes. (Actually, I'm grey now, but I'll always be a blond and so will my kids and grandkids.)

[Marysecretary]

My parents were Norwegian and all of us had blond hair that turned brown then turned grey. I colored it for years and loved it, but figured at my age I should go au natural and I love that, too. Having a good heart that loves people is much more important than having blond or red or black or purple hair! (Smile)

[Desdemona]

I've been naturally blonde all my life.

Congradulations. I was snow blonde as an infant. Since the age of, oh 8,9, somewhere in there, I've been blonde courtesy of chlorine, sun, Sun-In, chlorine, sun, more sun, more chlorine and then I quit lifeguarding. Now, I go the hairdresser and sit with foil on my head. All for blonde hair. IF my hair had more red in it I wouldn't bother, but....

[Orual]

She said that?

[ko_kyi]

Yup, those old recessive genes just can't compete. That is why no one has color blindness anymore, or type O blood.

oh wait....

[BlueNgold]

I suggest that a national society of Americans for the Perpetuation of Blondes be organized. All concerned blondes may apply immediately for procreation assistance and traning. (Females preferred.....)

[Exeter]

Wow, Try to imagine a world in which blondes become a protected species and no one is permitted to hunt them down for food or sport...

[Jonathon Spectre]

The Death to Whitey crowd will be delighted.

... just long enough to starve to death.

[JoeSixPack1]

Fine with me - just protect the redheads...

Redhair is just a result of blond parental rust. :-)

[zx2dragon]

Another blonde looking to be placed on "protected" status. :)

[AnalogReigns]

There's the sister of a friend of mine from Norway. The sister isn't the sweetest thing in personality, but wow--snow blonde, totally natural, all the way to the roots. Lighter than any bottle blonde. The Nordic countries have blondes like we hardly ever see in the USA.

I'm tired of dark roots....I don't understand why the article says some men find bottle blondes more attractive than the real thing.

Give me natural baby!!!!

[OldBlondBabe]

"I've been blonde courtesy of chlorine, sun, Sun-In, chlorine, sun, more sun, more chlorine and then I quit lifeguarding. "

Ever experience the "green" tint blonde hair takes on after a summer of swimming in chlorinated water?

[Sloth]

I'm not sure you grasp the genetics involved. It is entirely possible for your sisters-in-law's families to have dark coloring and still carry recessive blond-hair/blue-eye genes.

[JackIV]

You and I will be DEAD in 200 years, so why do you care?

[Thud]

I'm pretty much an American mutt with a German last name, though the kraut side of the family has maintained a significant consistent body and facial type (about 1/3 of everyone in each generation) for over a hundred years per photos in the family history. Also the women tend to be larger and louder than the men. About 1/3 of us are blond though this does not often coincide with the distinctive body shape (broad shoulders, long arms, short legs - sort of like blond apes) and facial bone structure. Blue-gray or silver-gray eyes are more common. Mine are more gray than blue.

My wife's family are more recent immigrants from Denmark and Holland, with really deep blue eyes and brown or black hair. Our children have her deep blue eyes but dark brown hair instead of her black or my blonde with tinges of red, and otherwise look very much like me. Our daughter is 5'7" compared to her brothers' 6', though she is most definitely louder and more aggressive than they are. She has my broad shoulders and long arms, and a typical body shape for the kraut side of my family. She also has the typical from-the-shoulders gait. Our sons, on the other hand, have a body shape more like my wife's uncles.

I sure hope blondes don't die out. My wife likes my combination of blond, red and silver hair plus mustache.

[JoeGar]

The last natural blondes will die out within 200 years, scientists believe.

Darwin was correct! Natural selection works!