Will WWT become extinct by 2060?
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:25 amDYING 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.
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.
Geelong might have the same problem then, if these scientists know what they are talking about.