Will WWT become extinct by 2060?

[Rushby Hinds]

DYING BREED

12:00 - 21 August 2007

Popstar Geri Halliwell is one of the world's most famous redheads.

And television and radio personality Chris Evans even featured the colour of his hair as part of one his companies.

But genetic scientists have warned red-haired people are dying out.

Around 40% of Scottish people have the ginger gene, with a whopping 13% having red hair. But the scientists claim redheads could be extinct in 100 years time.

National Geographic magazine reports that less than 2% of the world's population has natural red hair - created by a mutation in northern Europe thousands of years ago.

It says global intermingling, which broadens the availability of possible partners, has reduced the chances of redheads meeting and passing on the redhead gene. Researchers with National Geographic said although it takes only one red-haired parent to produce ginger babies, two redheads obviously creates a much stronger possibility.

But one place that could see the saving of the ginger gene is Scotland, which has the highest proportion of redheads in the world.

It is estimated that two out of every five Scots carry the red gene and 13% actually have red hair.

Despite this, some experts warn that redheads could be extinct as early as 2060, but others say the gene can be dormant in the reproductive system for generations before returning.

National Geographic says the gene at first had the beneficial effect of increasing the body's ability to make vitamin D from sunlight. However, today's carriers are more prone to skin cancer and have a higher sensitivity to heat and cold-related pain.

Redheads are said to have a distinctive temperament, which may be the result of the genetics of red hair discovered in 1997.

Famous redheads include radio and TV star Chris Evans, who called one of his companies Ginger Television, and Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, steely-eyed quizmistress Anne Robinson, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint and Scotland boss Alex McLeish are also well-known redheads.

A common stereotype of redheads is that they have fiery tempers.

Former Don Strachan was sent to the stands on Sunday after an altercation with an Aberdeen official during Sunday's game at Pittodrie.

[westside]

[Dogwatcher]

Hmmmmmmm

[Aerie]

LMAO

[smac]

http://www.gingerkids.org will be pleased with the developments. A cure may not be needed if it can be simply eradicated.

[Dogwatcher]

Have they done any research on big jaws?

[woodwt]

What a crap thread

[smac]

What a crap thread

And this from another thread very recently...

IF people dont like what posted thats easy dont read it!!

[Dogwatcher]

Evil.

[LPH]

Hmmm... based on current 2000+ stats that would mean...

5 decades = 8 or 9 Flags & around 30 GF losses to Centrals

extinction might be best then

[woodwt]

What a crap thread

And this from another thread very recently...

IF people dont like what posted thats easy dont read it!!

It about my team so of course im going to read it !!

[smac]

If you didn't like it though, you could have stopped and not posted?

By continuing to post, you are keeping it top of page - not sure you want that?

[therisingblues]

http://www.gingerkids.org will be pleased with the developments. A cure may not be needed if it can be simply eradicated.

Strewth SMAC, I had a giggle at the initial concept, but it does plummet the depths a couple of times.

[smac]

http://www.gingerkids.org will be pleased with the developments. A cure may not be needed if it can be simply eradicated.

Strewth SMAC, I had a giggle at the initial concept, but it does plummet the depths a couple of times.

Yes, Mrs smac is a ginger and was displeased when I first showed her that site. All in good humour though, I'm sure.

[StrayDog]

LMAO. Nice bit of harmless, light hearted trolling there, Rushby.

Good that most of us can take these things in the intended spirit.

[therisingblues]

http://www.gingerkids.org will be pleased with the developments. A cure may not be needed if it can be simply eradicated.

Strewth SMAC, I had a giggle at the initial concept, but it does plummet the depths a couple of times.

Yes, Mrs smac is a ginger and was displeased when I first showed her that site. All in good humour though, I'm sure.

Yeh, I am sure they don't mean any harm. Suicide statistics were a little out of place IMO.

[spell_check]

I'll pay that, RB/Borat. Geelong might have the same problem then, if these scientists know what they are talking about.

[Mickyj]

I'll pay that, RB/Borat. Geelong might have the same problem then, if these scientists know what they are talking about.

Lets not forget that Sturt had a ginger playing in their two's the last time we played them.

[Dogwatcher]

WWT will have to start recruiting from Scotland.

[Aerie]

WWT will have to start recruiting from Scotland.

Where do you think we got McGregor and McKenzie from?