Did you know that all individuals with blue eyes have something in common beyond their striking iris color? Research reveals that this distinctive trait, present in around 8% of the global population, originated from a genetic mutation that occurred between 6,000 to 10,000 years ago.
Initially, humans had brown eyes in varying shades, but this mutation led to the widespread presence of blue eyes. People with blue eyes have less melanin in their irises, making them more sensitive to light and increasing their risk of photophobia.
However, having blue eyes also has its advantages. Studies suggest that individuals with this eye color are more likely to be strategic thinkers, as seen in notable figures like Stephen Hawking and Marie Curie.
The gene responsible for blue eyes, HERC2, has been identified, and it’s believed that all blue-eyed individuals are descendants of a single person who first carried this mutation. This genetic variation, which “switched off” the production of brown eyes, is thought to have emerged when humans migrated from Africa to Europe.
While the origin of this initial mutation remains a mystery, the fact that all blue-eyed people share this genetic trait is a fascinating discovery. As Professor Hans Eiberg notes, this finding highlights the dynamic nature of the human genome, constantly evolving and trying out new changes.
