Scientists find all blue eyed people may have descended from one common ancestor

Blue eyePhoto byAdrian SwancaronUnsplash

Attributed: sciencedaily.com

The idea that all blue-eyed people are descended from a common ancestor has been a subject of scientific inquiry for many years. It is believed that this ancestor lived approximately 6,000 to 10,000 years ago in the region around the Black Sea. This hypothesis is based on genetic research and the understanding of how blue eyes are inherited.

Blue eyes are the result of a genetic mutation that occurred in a gene called OCA2. This mutation caused a decrease in the amount of melanin produced by the body, which is responsible for the pigment in our skin, hair, and eyes. The less melanin produced, the lighter the color of the eyes. It is this same mutation that causes albinism, a condition where a person has no pigment at all.

Scientists have been able to trace the origin of the blue-eyed mutation to the Black Sea region, which is now located in modern-day Turkey, Georgia, and Ukraine. From there, it is believed that the mutation spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the rest of the world. The theory is that the mutation provided an evolutionary advantage to those living in northern latitudes where there is less sunlight, as lighter-colored eyes would allow for better vision in dimmer light.

One of the key pieces of evidence supporting this theory is the fact that blue eyes are much more common in Northern Europe than in Southern Europe. For example, in countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland, over 80% of the population has blue eyes. In contrast, in countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, less than 20% of the population has blue eyes.

Another piece of evidence is the fact that all blue-eyed people share a common DNA sequence in the OCA2 gene. This sequence is not found in people with brown eyes or other eye colors, indicating that all blue-eyed people are descended from a single ancestor who carried this mutation.

Of course, it is important to note that not all people with blue eyes are genetically related to each other. The mutation may have occurred in different populations at different times, and it is possible for two people with blue eyes to have inherited the trait from different ancestors. However, the evidence suggests that the majority of blue-eyed people can trace their ancestry back to the same individual who lived thousands of years ago.

While not all blue-eyed people may not be related to each other, the evidence strongly supports the idea that the blue-eyed mutation originated in a single individual who lived in the region around the Black Sea thousands of years ago. This mutation provided an evolutionary advantage to those living in northern latitudes, and it eventually spread to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world. Understanding the origins of blue eyes can help us better understand the genetic diversity of our species and the processes that drive evolution.