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Those with red hair who once faced teasing on the playground may now have reason to celebrate. A new study indicates that their numbers are on the rise, courtesy of natural selection.
Scientists have discovered that humans are still undergoing evolution, and the pace is much quicker than previously thought.
Through DNA analysis, researchers have identified that the gene responsible for red hair has become increasingly prevalent among Europeans over the last 10,000 years.
This suggests that the distinctive red locks of celebrities like Ed Sheeran, Prince Harry, and Florence Welch might become more common in the future.
Other genetic traits that appear to have gained prevalence include lighter skin tones, a reduced likelihood of male-pattern baldness, a quicker walking speed, and enhanced cognitive abilities.
Additional traits that have proliferated are a susceptibility to celiac disease, immunity to HIV, resistance to leprosy, a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and a lower body fat percentage.
The researchers, from Harvard University, aren’t completely sure what survival advantage red hair may have in modern times.
‘Perhaps having red hair was beneficial 4,000 years ago,’ they said. ‘Or perhaps it came along for the ride with a more important trait.’
DNA analysis shows that the ginger gene has become more common among Europeans, left. Meanwhile a major genetic risk factor for gluten intolerance also began to spike around 4,000 years ago, right
The red hair sported by Ed Sheeran could become increasingly more common, experts revealed
The findings challenge conventional theories that humans have changed little in evolutionary terms since we first emerged 300,000 years ago.
For the study, the researchers analysed ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across more than 10,000 years in West Eurasia – which is now Europe and parts of the Middle East.
They collaborated with more than 250 archaeologists and anthropologists to sift through the DNA.
Overall, they found that most of the genetic selection accelerated after the introduction of farming, reflecting how different traits became advantageous as people shifted to agriculture from hunting and gathering.
Some of the changes seem logical – for example developing a resistance to certain diseases.
But others appear counterintuitive, like the major genetic risk factor for gluten intolerance spiking after people began farming wheat.
‘With these new techniques and large amounts of ancient genomic data, we can now watch how selection shapes biology in real time,’ first author Ali Akbari, from Harvard University, said.
‘Instead of searching for the scars natural selection leaves in present–day genomes using simple models and assumptions, we can let the data speak for itself.’
The study found the ginger gene is becoming more common, meaning the number of redheads such as Florence Welch, left, and former Spice Girl Geri Horner is increasing
Other variants that appear to have become more common include a faster walking pace and higher intelligence
Genetic quirks are usually the result of random mutations that occur during errors in copying parents’ DNA during reproduction.
Most mutations hardly have any impact, but if one provides some kind of survival advantage then the carrier is more likely to live longer and pass on the variant to their children.
Over generations, the most advantageous variants can become dominant across a whole species, driving evolution via natural selection.
‘This work allows us to assign place and time to forces that shaped us,’ Harvard Geneticist David Reich said.
The authors, who published their work in the journal Nature, plan to repeat the research in East Asia, East Africa and Central and South America to uncover yet more genetic variations.
They hope this could help with disease prevention and pave the way for developing new gene therapy medications.
‘To what extent will we see similar patterns in East Asia or East Africa or Native Americans in Mesoamerica and the central Andes?’ Professor Reich asked.
‘If we can’t use ancient DNA to study the most important period in human evolution one million to two million years ago, then at least we can study selective pressure on human genomes during more recent periods of change and learn broader principles.’
The red hair trait runs in the royal family thanks to Prince Harry. Meanwhile the Weasley family, including Ron, played by Rupert Grint, from the Harry Potter franchise are renowned for their ginger locks
Despite the findings, redheads are still relatively rare – making up less than 2 per cent of the global population.
A previous study found that red-headed women have genetically different pain thresholds to the rest of the female population.
A report in the medical journal Anesthesiology said redheads’ pain thresholds were linked to the hair gene mutation which partially switches off a sensory receptor.
They also have the highest orgasm rates of all hair types, experts found.
‘The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair colour, with more partners and having sex more often than the average,’ Dr Werner Habermehl, from the University of Hamburg, said. ‘The research shows that the fiery redhead certainly lives up to her reputation.’