Skin color gene identified (NYT and Science report)

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SUMMARY

The recent identification of a gene significantly influencing skin color has been reported in the December 16 issue of Science and the New York Times. This gene exhibits a notable allele distribution, with 99% of European Caucasians possessing one variant and approximately 93% of Sub-Saharan Africans carrying another. The discussion highlights potential applications in "designer baby" technologies and forensic investigations, although some participants question the scientific significance of the discovery. The implications for reconstructing visual appearances from DNA are also considered.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of genetic terminology, specifically alleles and variants
  • Familiarity with the concept of race markers in genetics
  • Knowledge of forensic genetics and its applications
  • Awareness of ethical considerations in genetic engineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific gene identified in the Science article and its variants
  • Explore the implications of genetic engineering in "designer baby" technologies
  • Investigate forensic techniques for visual reconstruction from DNA
  • Study the ethical debates surrounding genetic manipulation and race
USEFUL FOR

Geneticists, forensic scientists, ethicists, and anyone interested in the intersection of genetics and societal implications will benefit from this discussion.

marcus
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http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/science/16gene.html

Yesterday's issue of Science magazine, and this article in the 16 December NY Times report that a major determinant of skin color is a single gene which has been located

reportedly 99 pecent of European caucasians have one allele, one variant of the gene, and some 93 percent of subsaharan Africans have another variant.

I haven't seen the Science article, maybe someone who has can make this more precise. What I see in the NY Times doesn't quite make sense to me and I would like to hear some elaboration.
 
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This the abstract of the science article. A subscription is required for getting the full article.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/310/5755/1782
 
iansmith said:
This the abstract of the science article. A subscription is required for getting the full article.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/310/5755/1782

Hi Ian, I remember you as especially informed and objective from earlier discussions. I don't get in here much.

I was wondering. Can you indicate what the scientific significance of this might be?

I cannot see much importance. the gene does seem to be a race marker----something where 99 percent of a european caucasian population has one allele and over 90 percent of a subsaharan black population has the other allele.

I suppose the discovery might find application in some kind of "designer baby" technology----if kookie parents wanted their child to have, say, dark skin and blond hair and blue eyes, then they could presumably have some laboratory switch the allele at just one site. the results might be startling, perhaps disturbingly beautiful.

but these are kind of trivial consequences, it seems to me, in science terms.

do you think of any advantage in science terms of having identified this site?
 
Last edited:
I didn't look at the paper yet, but imagine the benefit for forensic investigations.
 
Monique said:
I didn't look at the paper yet, but imagine the benefit for forensic investigations.

Better yet, imagine in a few years being able to fully reconstruct the visual appearance of an individual just from the DNA.
 

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