The Research Paper on Redheads

Some people look at red hair and just see it as a hair color. For a redhead, there is a whole story most people don’t know. Redheads are told to never, NEVER go out into the sun without sun block. Also, they are told how beautiful their hair is at all ages. Most of all, redheads see how rare it is to pass one another. For each of these there is a long history of studies and experiments which can explain things redheads have already noticed. In the following, questions will be answered and the whole science and history will be unveiled.

Many facts have been discovered to explain the red hair phenomenon. From ancient redheads to genetic composition, scientists have explained many questions about red hair.

Some Neanderthals may have had red hair and pale skin according to a new genetic study. The traits were common in European Neanderthals. The studies lead author Carles Lalueza-Fox, of the University of Barcelona discovered the amazing fact. In the cases of both Neanderthals and modern Europeans, he said, the gene mutation that caused fairer complexions spread only after the respective populations migrated from Africa. From intact DNA from 230,000 to 30,000 years ago, Lalueza-Fox and his colleagues were able to study two separate samples unearthed in Italy and Spain.  While studying Neanderthal DNA samples, Lalueza-Fox's team found an unknown mutation in a key gene called MC1R. Red hair only appears with people of two copies of the same mutation on the gene. MC1R protein is found in the skin and eyes instead of a darker melanin. The mutation is a recessive gene located of chromosome 4. MC1R is also the key to all colors of every human. The official name is melanocortin 1 receptor or a stimulating hormone receptor. It provides instructions for making pigmentation in hair ,skin ,and eyes. MC1R can be found in the retina also effecting vision. There are two forms of this gene which cause lighter or darker colors. People with red hair have a higher amount of pheomelanin which causes skin to not tan. The advantages and disadvantages of MC1R will be explained later.

It is so rare to become a red head, but there are even fewer who become famous. There are famous redheads all through history that many people didn’t even realize had red hair! Here are a few red heads that you would recognize: Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Vincent van Gogh, Lucille Ball. I would assume that you knew they all had red hair. Paintings or black and white photos has washed away some you could not have guessed ere redheads. Here are a few more surprising discoveries: James Joyce, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Napoleon Boneparte, Cleopatra, Christopher Columbus, Oliver Cromwell, General Custer, Emily Dickinson, Judas Iscariot, Florence Nightingale, Dwight Eisenhower, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, King David, Henry VIII, Queen Victoria, William the Conqueror. Redheads made many foot prints in history. There are facts still unknown about redheads through out the world though. The sale of at home red dye kits has gone up seventeen percent since the year two thousand hit. There is a belief that redheads are prone to industrial deafness. Adults have about 120,000 hairs on their head; redheads have fewer. The country name of Russia means "land of reds" in honor of a redheaded Viking by the name of Rurik. In the late 16th century, the fat of a redheaded man was an essential ingredient for poison. The Romans kept red haired slaves, and at a higher price. By now it is obvious that so many things effect redheads over the years. So how many redheads are there and where could they all be? There are about 2% of the human population with red hair. In northern Europe it occurs frequently so about 6% of their population are redheaded. Scotland has the highest population with Ireland following it. Some scientists have speculated that this rarity indicated an extinction of redheads. Over 30% of people carry the traits to create more redheads, thus keeping the population level.

Red hair just isn’t a hair color. What causes red hair can effect the whole body and health or even the future of its host. Scientists of today has pin pointed its advantages and disadvantages along with what is being done to help people of other hair colors.

Geneticists Jeffrey Mogil of McGill University studies in the pain laboratory uncovered some advantages of red hair. Withstanding 25% more pain that others, redheads express a natural pain reducer. Less pain killers are needed for red headed women during child birth. This is caused by the mutated MC1R gene interacting with pain senors through the skin. Because MC1R also caused the skins paleness it collects more vitamin D in low sun environments. Chemistry professor John Simon at Duke university discovered this can also cause DNA damage. Redheads skin requires less energy to start a chemical reaction producing free radicals. It can be linked to skin cancer, which many red heads suffer from. Also sunburns can be extremely painful and easy to get on red haired people. Through these advantages and disadvantages scientists are finding ways to help people through these Gene mutations. Along with more effective sunblock for redheads, they are discovering new ways to replicate their natural pain killers. Geneticist Ian Jackson of the United Kingdom Medical Research Council plans to study redheads. Jackson says," We thought that MC1R was involved only in hair color."

Redheads know they are special. Either it be a mutated gene or thousands of years of natural selection, redheads will always feel a since of pride to be like they are. From “land of the reds” Russia to Florida, USA, red hair will continue to be apart of human history. No matter how many times scientist say they will go extinct, a new generation is sure to come.  From advantages to health risks or rumors to facts, redheads will never run out things to say about just how cool they are. But don’t be discouraged, all other hair colors, there is a reason for you too.