Blue-eyed people share a unique genetic mutation dating back 6,000-10,000 years. Discover its origins and traits.
All blue-eyed individuals share a unique trait beyond their eye color. This second most common eye color originated 6,000-10,000 years ago from a genetic mutation; initially, all humans had brown eyes.
People with blue eyes have less melanin, making them more light-sensitive. This condition, called photophobia, is more common among them. Despite this, blue-eyed individuals often excel in strategic thinking, according to a study by Louisville University professor Joanna Rowe.
Notably, blue-eyed celebrities like Stephen Hawking and Marie Curie demonstrate this strategic advantage. Recently, the gene HERC2 was identified as responsible for blue eyes. This gene turns off OCA2, which typically results in brown eyes.
Professor Hans Eiberg from the University of Copenhagen discovered that this mutation dates back to when humans migrated from Africa to Europe. This genetic switch, turning off brown eye production, suggests all blue-eyed people descend from a single ancestor.
This research highlights the natural genetic diversity and evolution within the human genome, demonstrating nature’s ongoing experimentation with human traits.