30 People Whose Unique Genetics Made Them Stand Out
What comes to your mind when you think about mutations? Laser vision? The ability to turn into a giant angry green monster? We hate to break it to you, but the reality is a little less sci-fi-esque. But that doesn't mean certain small gene mutations and birthmarks can't result in some cool features!
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What comes to your mind when you think about mutations? Laser vision? The ability to turn into a giant angry green monster? We hate to break it to you, but the reality is a little less sci-fi-esque. But that doesn't mean certain small gene mutations and birthmarks can't result in some cool features!
Bored Panda has compiled a list of people whose unique genetics made them stand out. From extra digits to tongue tentacles, we're sure you've never seen anything like this before - check them out in the gallery below!
h/t: Bored Panda
Image source: Bell_Ashley666
This unique discoloration of the hair is the result of a condition called Poliosis, that results in melanin being absent from a certain part of a person's hair or body. These types of birthmarks can be inherited - like in the case of this mother and her newborn!
Image source: anpeneMatt
This is not a fancy contact lens - it's actually a condition called heterochromia iridum. It is usually caused by an excess or lack of melanin, resulting from genetics, injury or disease.
Image source: the_cozy_one
This condition is called polydactyly and is hereditary - this man's son was also born with 12 fingers and toes but had removal surgery at a young age.
Image source: drlindseyfitzharris
Ulnar dimelia is a rare congenital deformity where a person's ulna is duplicated and thumbs are absent, resulting in seven or even eight fingers on a hand. The condition is sometimes called the "mirror hand syndrome”.
Image source: ChewyPickle
Looks like we inherit everything from our parents - even the shapes of our thumbs!
Image source: nofapventure
This condition is called anonychia congenita and affects the fingernails and the toenails. People affected by this condition are usually born without or with only a part of certain fingernails.
Image source: animaorion
This condition, called Stahl's ear, results in an extra cartilage fold leading to the pointy elvish ear shape.
Image source: AeroHammer
This person was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome and looks like their whole life led to this exact moment.
Image source: evan4765
Symbrachydactyly usually results in babies being born without or with underdeveloped fingers. This condition can be treated with prosthetics, physical therapy or surgery.
Image source: Spikenws
This condition is called macular pucker and is caused by scar tissue formed in the eye's macula. It usually causes blurred and distorted vision to the person affected.
Image source: OmongKosong
Many behaviorists have studied hair whorls to find a genetic link between handedness and whirl direction but no conclusive results have been found so far.
Image source: notsosecrett
A Californian woman with a similar condition went on The Doctors back in 2015 and dermatologists explained that this type of freckle pattern is actually a very specific birthmark. "And the pigment cells in your neural crest, some of them actually developed a mutation or a change and as the cells migrated over, it actually effects only half the body. 'That's why there's such a sharp cut off," explained dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra.
Image source: Inimeitiel-
This person says the discoloration of their eyelashes happened overnight when they were 11 - their mother even thought they bleached them somehow. It is actually a condition called Vitiligo and occurs when a person's immune system is weak in a specific area, causing the color to disappear.
Image source: Nico_LaBras
This condition is called sectoral heterochromia and may be inherited or caused by certain genetic mutations, disease or injuries.
Image source: poopjetpack
The weird part about this case is that scientists say acquired characteristics are non-heritable, meaning a cut finger shouldn't be passed along to an offspring. the reason for this is truly a medical mystery.
Image source: SligPants
These elongated tentacles of the tongue are called plica fimbriata and are completely harmless - although they can get stuck between your teeth!
Image source: IanthegeekV2
This condition, typically referred to as webbed toes, is pretty rare among humans, with only 1 in 2,000 - 2,500 newborns affected. Fun fact: Ashton Kutcher was born with webbed toes!
Image source: Dubdrone
This condition is called hypermobility and is more common among children. The extreme mobility usually decreases with age and only about 5% of adults have it.
Image source: smsikking
This condition is the opposite of poliosis - instead of having no melanin, areas affected by it have increased levels of melanin, resulting in a darker color.
Image source: DomnLee
Maybe you can borrow one for her?
Image source: PiratePanda
Cons: harder to hold a fork, difficulties finding gloves.
Pros: can do a mad Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle impression.
Image source: Lamont_
This condition, where a thumb is abnormally shaped, is called triphalangeal thumb. As the name suggests, the finger has three phalanges instead of two and can be treated with surgery. Only 1 in 25,000 children are born with the condition.
Image source: fedorahitler
The person that posted this picture to Reddit shared one interesting fact: his nose never bleeds. Neat!
Image source: Breapop
This condition is called a trigger finger and results in the tendon that allows the thumb to bend being swollen and locking. Only about 3.3 children out of a 1,000 are born with it.
Image source: JoumanaKayrouz
What happened to the one marked with the number 1? The parents joked that if she had a twin, she must have ate it.
Image source: aliens-dope
Some scientists speculate our fingers 'prune' for it to be easier to grab things underwater but they are not entirely sure.
Image source: SurvivalFish
So much for 'little' finger! Imagine the pinky promises this person could make.
Image source: Enceladus89
After this person posted a picture of their hand on Reddit, many users asked why aren't the finger bones visible. The answer is because of the way skin and flesh diffuse light - imagine that you're looking through frosted glass.
Image source: red4ryder
This baby was not only born with 12 toes but also with 12 fingers. Maybe they will come in handy when learning to count?
Image source: Conkuro-kun
#1 My Friends Newborn Baby Was Born With The Same Birthmark In Her Hair As Her Mother
Image source: Bell_Ashley666
This unique discoloration of the hair is the result of a condition called Poliosis, that results in melanin being absent from a certain part of a person's hair or body. These types of birthmarks can be inherited - like in the case of this mother and her newborn!
#2 My Friend's Iris Is Split In Half
Image source: anpeneMatt
This is not a fancy contact lens - it's actually a condition called heterochromia iridum. It is usually caused by an excess or lack of melanin, resulting from genetics, injury or disease.
#3 My Dad Has 6 Fingers On Each Hand. He Uses 2 Fingers To Flip Someone Off
Image source: the_cozy_one
This condition is called polydactyly and is hereditary - this man's son was also born with 12 fingers and toes but had removal surgery at a young age.
#4 Ulnar Dimelia Or Mirror Hand Syndrome
Image source: drlindseyfitzharris
Ulnar dimelia is a rare congenital deformity where a person's ulna is duplicated and thumbs are absent, resulting in seven or even eight fingers on a hand. The condition is sometimes called the "mirror hand syndrome”.
#5 My Brother-In-Law Got A Thumb From Each Parent
Image source: ChewyPickle
Looks like we inherit everything from our parents - even the shapes of our thumbs!
#6 My GF Was Born Without A Nail On A Finger. So Due To Popular Demand, We Put Google Eyes On It
Image source: nofapventure
This condition is called anonychia congenita and affects the fingernails and the toenails. People affected by this condition are usually born without or with only a part of certain fingernails.
#7 My Son Was Born With Natural Elf Ears
Image source: animaorion
This condition, called Stahl's ear, results in an extra cartilage fold leading to the pointy elvish ear shape.
#8 I Was Born Ready For This
Image source: AeroHammer
This person was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome and looks like their whole life led to this exact moment.
#9 I Have Only Four Fingers On My Left Hand, And Have And Index Finger Instead Of My Thumb
Image source: evan4765
Symbrachydactyly usually results in babies being born without or with underdeveloped fingers. This condition can be treated with prosthetics, physical therapy or surgery.
#10 I Was Born With A Scar On My Eye
Image source: Spikenws
This condition is called macular pucker and is caused by scar tissue formed in the eye's macula. It usually causes blurred and distorted vision to the person affected.
#11 My Son Has Symmetrical Hair Whorls Which Go In Opposite Directions. This Allows Him To Grow A Natural Mohawk
Image source: OmongKosong
Many behaviorists have studied hair whorls to find a genetic link between handedness and whirl direction but no conclusive results have been found so far.
#12 My Boyfriend Has Freckles On Only Half Of His Face, I Think It's Cool
Image source: notsosecrett
A Californian woman with a similar condition went on The Doctors back in 2015 and dermatologists explained that this type of freckle pattern is actually a very specific birthmark. "And the pigment cells in your neural crest, some of them actually developed a mutation or a change and as the cells migrated over, it actually effects only half the body. 'That's why there's such a sharp cut off," explained dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra.
#13 Half Of The Eyelashes On My Right Eye Are White
Image source: Inimeitiel-
This person says the discoloration of their eyelashes happened overnight when they were 11 - their mother even thought they bleached them somehow. It is actually a condition called Vitiligo and occurs when a person's immune system is weak in a specific area, causing the color to disappear.
#14 My Left Eye Is About 1/3 Grey
Image source: Nico_LaBras
This condition is called sectoral heterochromia and may be inherited or caused by certain genetic mutations, disease or injuries.
#15 My Dad's Index Tip Was Cut Off When He Was 10, My Index Is Shorter Than My Pinky
Image source: poopjetpack
The weird part about this case is that scientists say acquired characteristics are non-heritable, meaning a cut finger shouldn't be passed along to an offspring. the reason for this is truly a medical mystery.
#16 I Have Tentacles Under My Tongue- Apparently Not Everyone Does?
Image source: SligPants
These elongated tentacles of the tongue are called plica fimbriata and are completely harmless - although they can get stuck between your teeth!
#17 My Wife Discovered That She And My Sister Both Have Syndactyly Connected Toes. They Celebrated Their Similar Trait With New Tattoos
Image source: IanthegeekV2
This condition, typically referred to as webbed toes, is pretty rare among humans, with only 1 in 2,000 - 2,500 newborns affected. Fun fact: Ashton Kutcher was born with webbed toes!
#18 A Friend Of Mine Can Grab Things Backwards
Image source: Dubdrone
This condition is called hypermobility and is more common among children. The extreme mobility usually decreases with age and only about 5% of adults have it.
#19 My Kid Has One Streak Of Very Dark Hair
Image source: smsikking
This condition is the opposite of poliosis - instead of having no melanin, areas affected by it have increased levels of melanin, resulting in a darker color.
#20 I Was Born With 6 Toes On My Left Foot And My Co-Worker Was Born With 4 Toes On Her Right Foot
Image source: DomnLee
Maybe you can borrow one for her?
#21 I Was Born Missing My Right Pinky And Thumb
Image source: PiratePanda
Cons: harder to hold a fork, difficulties finding gloves.
Pros: can do a mad Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle impression.
#22 Five Fingers, No Thumb
Image source: Lamont_
This condition, where a thumb is abnormally shaped, is called triphalangeal thumb. As the name suggests, the finger has three phalanges instead of two and can be treated with surgery. Only 1 in 25,000 children are born with the condition.
#23 I Was Born Without A Bridge In My Nose
Image source: fedorahitler
The person that posted this picture to Reddit shared one interesting fact: his nose never bleeds. Neat!
#24 I Was Born With A Condition Where My Right Thumb Is Unable To Bend
Image source: Breapop
This condition is called a trigger finger and results in the tendon that allows the thumb to bend being swollen and locking. Only about 3.3 children out of a 1,000 are born with it.
#25 My Daughter Was Born With A Perfect Number 2 On Her Head
Image source: JoumanaKayrouz
What happened to the one marked with the number 1? The parents joked that if she had a twin, she must have ate it.
#26 Abnormally Pruney Fingers?? Every Time I Go Swimming With Anyone My Hands Are Always 10x More Wrinkly Than Anyone Else’s
Image source: aliens-dope
Some scientists speculate our fingers 'prune' for it to be easier to grab things underwater but they are not entirely sure.
#27 My Little Finger Is My Biggest Finger
Image source: SurvivalFish
So much for 'little' finger! Imagine the pinky promises this person could make.
#28 I Can See The Internal Bruising In My Finger When I Hold My Hand Up To The Light
Image source: Enceladus89
After this person posted a picture of their hand on Reddit, many users asked why aren't the finger bones visible. The answer is because of the way skin and flesh diffuse light - imagine that you're looking through frosted glass.
#29 Here Is An Example Of Ryder’s Polydactyly
Image source: red4ryder
This baby was not only born with 12 toes but also with 12 fingers. Maybe they will come in handy when learning to count?
#30 I Have A Single Line Across My Palm
Image source: Conkuro-kunDE
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