Welsummer... Just to be helpful - From the Wikipedia link someone else posted a few pages ago.....
In 2008, new research revealed that people with blue eyes have a single common ancestor. Scientists tracked down a genetic mutation that leads to blue eyes. "Originally, we all had brown eyes," said Hans Eiberg from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen.[37] Eiberg and colleagues showed in a study published in Human Genetics that a mutation in the 86th intron of the HERC2 gene, which is hypothesized to interact with the OCA2 gene promoter, reduced expression of OCA2 with subsequent reduction in melanin production.[38] The authors concluded that the mutation may have arisen in a single individual probably living in the northwestern part of the Black Sea region (around modern Romania) 6,00010,000 years ago during the Neolithic revolution.[37][38][39] Eiberg stated, "A genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a 'switch,' which literally 'turned off' the ability to produce brown eyes."
The genetic switch is located in the gene adjacent to OCA2 and rather than completely turning off the gene, the switch limits its action, which reduces the production of melanin in the iris. In effect, the turned-down switch diluted brown eyes to blue. If the OCA2 gene had been completely shut down, our hair, eyes and skin would be melanin-less, a condition known as albinism.[37]
The study was mentioned elsewhere on the internet... including 23andMe.
Thanks Grit for that link! I remember seeing this place on a tv program back when it was still really expensive... and I told myself I ought to look into that when the prices lowered, as they claimed they would be! I'm going to have this done now!
Also from that Wikipedia page...
The genetic switch is located in the gene adjacent to OCA2 and rather than completely turning off the gene, the switch limits its action, which reduces the production of melanin in the iris. In effect, the turned-down switch diluted brown eyes to blue. If the OCA2 gene had been completely shut down, our hair, eyes and skin would be melanin-less, a condition known as albinism.[37]
The study was mentioned elsewhere on the internet... including 23andMe.
Thanks Grit for that link! I remember seeing this place on a tv program back when it was still really expensive... and I told myself I ought to look into that when the prices lowered, as they claimed they would be! I'm going to have this done now!
Also from that Wikipedia page...
A 2002 study found that the prevalence of blue eye color among Caucasians in the United States to be 33.8 percent for those born from 1936 through 1951 compared with 57.4 percent for those born from 1899 through 1905.[10] Blue eyes are continuing to become less common among American children, with only one out of every six or 16.6% of the total population, and 22.3% of the White population having blue eyes.
So I suppose that means that the quantity of brown eyes is simply winning out over blue... or something
I have almost Black, Dark Brown eyes from my Australian mom. The paternal side had Hazel/Blue. As fuzzily as I've found out so far... my lineage is mostly Irish/Scottish with some French and English (Shhh! Don't forget the criminals!
) The dna test will be marvelous to clear that up!
Awesomefowl - From what I was just reading, your eyes would be considered Hazel!
So I suppose that means that the quantity of brown eyes is simply winning out over blue... or something
I have almost Black, Dark Brown eyes from my Australian mom. The paternal side had Hazel/Blue. As fuzzily as I've found out so far... my lineage is mostly Irish/Scottish with some French and English (Shhh! Don't forget the criminals!
Awesomefowl - From what I was just reading, your eyes would be considered Hazel!
