Rare Genetic Features You Probably Don't Have

Scientists found the LRP5 genetic mutation in 1994. This gene controls the production and release of a protein that governs bone density. The mutation appeared when a man who had a bad car crash sustained no broken bones. Researchers later found that this man had relatives with incredibly strong skeletons; one had failed hip replacements because doctors could not fit the prosthesis into his bone.

Tests showed the group had bones nearlyThese bones are eight times denser.than the average person's. This made their bones so tough they rarely broke under normal stress.

Mice and cattle show inactive myostatin genes, but humans only have a few cases of this mutation. This condition causespeople to develop incredibly strong muscles.Children born with the mutation have lean, defined muscles early. They possess more strength than kids their age.

Scientists do not know about long-term health problems from this disorder because research has been limited.

Up to 1% of people of Northern European descent may resist HIV due to an extremeA rare genetic mutation exists.called CCR5 delta 32. This change makes the CCR5 co-receptor much smaller than normal, blocking the HIV virus from entering cells.

The receptor stays closed,stopping the virusfrom taking hold in victims. Scientists seek a cure using stem cells to copy the genetics of people immune to HIV.

The normal human eye has three cones, letting people see a wide color range. Some people, called Tetrachromats, have a rare fourth cone that lets themsee up to 100 million colors.People with three cones see about one million colors by comparison.

Researchers estimate this mutation happens more often in women; up to 12% of the female population has this mutation. Having the genetic mutation does not guarantee women can see a hundred million colors. Random X chromosome inactivation shuts off the fourth cone for some women.Random X chromosome inactivation occurs.shuts off the fourth cone for some women.

In 2004, scientists found people missing working copies of the PCSK9 gene. Missing genes usually cause problems, but this missing gene has a benefit: Those without functioning PCSK9 genes do not need to worry about high cholesterol. Drug companies quickly started making drugs to block functioning PCSK9 genes in patients withSome folks face dangerously high cholesterol.

Only a certain feature exists.A handful of African Americans share this.are known to have this genetic mutation. People with this mutation have a 90% lower risk of heart disease.

A preauricular sinus is a birth defect making a small hole or dimple appear on the outer ear. This usually shows up at the top of the ear where it meets the head. Most cases cause no harm, but they can make infection more likely.

This condition is not common in the West; less than 1% of the population has it.It appears more often in Asia and Africa.Around four to 10% of the population has this mutation.

Marfan syndrome harms the body's connective tissue. The extent of this genetic issue changes for each person. People with Marfan syndrome often stand tall, look thin, and have long limbs. For those severely affected,the condition can impact the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton. It causes bones to shift easily, extra stress on the aorta, and early arthritis.The disorder can affect the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and skeleton. It can cause bones to dislocate easily, extra strain on the aorta, and an early onset of arthritis.

Milder Marfan Syndrome causes ligaments to stretch.row long and stretchy., which causes hypermobility, especially in the hands and wrist. About one in 5,000 people have this genetic mutation.

Scientists found a mutation in the SERPINE1 gene in 2017.SERPINE1This gene lowers PAI-1 levels in the bodies of Berne Amish community members in Indiana with the mutation. PAI-1 levels are higher in people with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Evidence suggests that the SERPINE1 mutation has two effects: it stops blood vessel clots and starts senescence. Senescence puts cells into a paused state, stopping them from getting damaged or destroyed. Those with the mutation can live up to 10 years longer and have much lower rates of chronic illnesses like heart disease.SERPINE1The SERPINE1 mutation has two effects: it stops blood vessel clots and starts senescence. Senescence puts cells into a paused state, stopping them from getting damaged or destroyed. Those with the mutation can live up to 10 years longer and have much lower rates of chronic illnesses like heart disease.those carrying the mutation can live for up to 10 years longerThese Amish people suffer chronic illnesses, including heart disease, at a much lower rate.

Golden blood is not what it seems. It is an extremely rare blood group shared by only about 40 people globally. Scientifically, golden blood means people lack all Rh-blood cell antigens, which meansOnly 40 people have another rare Rh group.Some people can accept this type as donor blood.

People with this anomaly are very valuable to medicine. Without them, people with rare blood types would need to find an exact match, a process that could take months or years.

A small number of people suffer from a genetic disorder causing them to constantly emit an unpleasant smell. A body enzyme breaks down trimethylaminuria, a chemical made when food like eggs, beans, and fish are digested.

A constant body odor may be unpreventable for some.A mutation in the FMO3 gene causes constant body odor.This genetic anomaly stops an important enzyme from making its product. People with this anomaly get a strong body odor smelling like rotting fish. Less than 1% of people have this mutation; it is rare across most populations.

The cervical rib is an extra rib that few people have. It grows above the first rib, right under the neck. This can create extra ribs on both the left and right sides of the body. The condition iscaused by a genetic mutationthat messes up signals sent to cells in the womb when ribs start forming.

Sometimes, this mutation causes pain. The ribs might press on nerves, organs, or blood vessels. Surgery might fix the problem in these cases.

Ambras syndrome, a skin condition, makes people have too muchHair covers their entire bodies.This hair growth may only show in certain body areas. Often, it covers the whole person, leaving those with hypertrichosis with long, thick hair.

This syndrome is very rare. It has only affected about 50 people since the Middle Ages. The gene responsible is Trps1; it disrupts messages to cells about developing follicles, causing too much hair growth.

Officially known asheterochromia.Heterochromia means people have two different eye colors or different colored parts in each eye. Sometimes, this causes color differences in other body parts, like skin or hair. The most extreme form has irises with two totally different colors. A genetic mutation causes heterochromia by messing up where melanin is spread in the body.

Though it isn't as rare as other genetic issues, it isThis affects only 1% of the world's population.This affects 1% of the world's population.

A geneticabnormality in the FOXC2 gene.This abnormality in the FOXC2 gene might cause Liz Taylor's striking eyelashes. Called distichiasis, the mutation makes an extra row of eyelashes grow above the top and bottom lash lines.

Elizabeth Taylor had this condition. People often point to it as a factor in her striking look because it drew attention to her eyes. However, distichiasis can cause bad irritation and vision problems if the extra lashes grow into the eyes.

When an explorer climbs Mount Everest, bringing a Sherpa for guidance is common. These guides offer more than just directions; native Tibetans and Nepalese people can breathe normally at high altitudes that make most people sick.

This special ability is linked to a "superathlete gene" thatThis can be traced backDenisovans, a group living in Asia's mountains about 40,000 years ago, possess a gene. This gene boosts oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, letting the body distribute oxygen super-efficiently. People with this gene can do hard manual labor at high altitudes without fearing oxygen deprivation.

Most people feel exhausted, have stomach problems, and risk a weak immune system after only a few nights of lost sleep. Yet, a small group can manage just a couple of hours of sleep nightly, or even years without any sleep.

In 2011,The Wall Street Journalran a storyThe article claims 1% to 3% of humans can exist with almost no sleep and few negative side-effects. The article theorizes Thomas Jefferson, Leonardo da Vinci, and Ben Franklin carried this trait. It emphasizes most readers need eight hours of sleep nightly.

Scientists do not know what makes some bodies skip sleep. They guess that people with this trait carry a "Clock Gene" that lets them stay awake for long stretches.

Progeriais a rare genetic disorder that makes some humans age very fast. Symptoms show up in the first two years. By early adolescence, carriers face heavy hair loss and skin thinning and wrinkling.

Scientists have not found a cure for progeria. Those with the disorder live only 13 to 20 years on average.