The extinction of the ginger gene Bashny.Net

Red-haired people throughout history attracts the attention of others. Project Manager for genetic research "Scotlands DNA" Alistair Moffat (Alastair Moffat) finds that fiery hair color owes its origin to climate – namely, the bleak cloudy weather of Northern Europe.

In nature, animals with a red coat or feathers are common, but people can say they are relatively long: the hair of this color appeared only a few thousand years ago as a result of a genetic mutation in the 16-th chromosome, where suddenly "involved" a pair of recessive genes.





Scientists believe that the reason lies in the tendency of the body to ensure the synthesis of vitamin D, necessary for bone formation and maintaining its chemical balance. Since its synthesis takes a long exposure to direct sunlight, and the sky over North-West Europe forever overcast, the man had to make his skin quite bright, able to absorb a minimal amount of ultraviolet light. Along with skin color has changed hair color – to do this, the northerners had to sacrifice a number of of the color melanin pigment and replace it with pheomelanin.

Obviously, it was not a good idea, since melanin is vital for the body: it is one of the most powerful antioxidants (active sorbent of uranium and transuranic elements), and therefore protects against the effects of radiation and free radicals. In addition to the special sensitivity to man-made pollution, redheaded people may be more susceptible to toxins and more susceptible to poisons. According to the results obtained by the researchers from Louisville University (USA), they are characterized by a greater intensity of pain.





But alas, physical threats point to put early. There was a time when the owners of the fiery hair was attributed with magical powers and strongly pursued. Modern civilization seems not much has advanced in this matter. Experts from ekspertno-the analytical centre "Centre for Equality Policy Research" shared observations about discrimination against red-haired people occur more often than against members of national minorities.

As a result of simple experiment, it was found that at interviews for employment candidates redheaded denied seven times more often than brunettes, and eight times more often than Blonds. Barbara McNulty (McNulty Barbara), Professor of psychology at the University of the Western Islands, says the situation this way: "Red hair still point to others also on the cultural specificities of their respective owners. For example, the red-haired women are violent temper, crankiness and uncontrollability. And red-haired men are unattractive in appearance and character eccentric and weird." Usually we see this as charming, but the role of the typical "office plankton" redheads don't usually expect...





Today, on our planet, only two out of a hundred people have naturally red hair, but in the UK because of rainy weather, their number is much higher: 13% of Scots, 10% Irish and 6% of the British. However, a recessive gene often shows itself through generations, and its speakers can be approximately 40% of the population to find exact numbers of scientists are doing now. Then the results of the preliminary assessments will be made "red-haired" map of the British Isles, which will become a major pillar in the further research.

The National Geographic magazine made an unusual forecast, which stated that all red-haired people will disappear from the face of the Earth by 2060. Genetics note that currently there is a rapid reduction in the number of carriers of the "ginger gene" as a result of mixed marriages. However, these fears may be in vain, and red-haired people will be born for many generations – at least in the lands of Albion.

 

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