The Colour Code

[JBeukema]

Abstract: The article discusses research into the genetics behind a persons' skin, hair, and eye color. Studies of pigmentation disorders in animals and people have led to the discovery of more than 120 associated genes. Experts say skin color has evolved to optimize folic acid and vitamin D levels in the winter. U.S. researchers found that variations in six genes accounted for 50-80% of the differences in eye, skin and hair color in the 800 people they studied.
At last we're discovering why skin tones are so different -- and that could make it far easier to alter them....

ScienceDirect - The New Scientist : The colour code

 

[marv]

I've always wondered if there was any connection between eye color and behaviour.....

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Now you are showing your true colors, you want to alter people's skin colors in order to make everyone fit your model of a pure and proper human.

 

[JBeukema]

I've always wondered if there was any connection between eye color and behaviour.....

Well, red eyes are associated with the most evil of beasts, and Shakespeare warned us of our beloved green-eyed lasses

 

[JBeukema]

Now you are showing your true colors, you want to alter people's skin colors in order to make everyone fit your model of a pure and proper human.

What on Earth are you babbling about?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Do all white people carry the black gene the same way we have embryonic vestigial gills and tails?

Serious question

 

[midcan5]

What is the point of this OP? The article is on paid subscription and should not be posted unless fair use. It seems normal that natural selection would influence our skin and other characteristics given the varying climates our ancestors evolved in. Metaphoric use of colors is fascinating but hardly medically helpful. I did find this piece which details aspects of the issue.

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.122.3431&rep=rep1&type=pdf

"Human skin has evolved into a bland, uniform, largely hairless covering. It has little of the dramatic coloring of animals, butterfly wings or peacock feathers. This has led to skin envy on the part of many humans, and in turn to the exquisite colorful skin patterns drawn by tattoo artists."