Why Do Some People Have Red Hair? The Science Behind Red Hair Genetics (By Megan, Aged 12,)
By Megan H, Year 8, Good News Room at Clevedon School
Did you know the reason why some people have red hair?
People have red hair because of variations in their MC1R gene, which controls the balance of two types of melanin (pigments) in their hair and skin.
Specifically, a genetic mutation causes the body to produce more pheomelanin and less eumelanin.
Red hair is a recessive trait, which means a person needs to inherit the gene from both parents, even if the parents themselves have dark hair.
Red hair is more common in people from Scotland and Ireland, where there is a strong Celtic background.
The percentage of people with red hair can be as high as 13%, whereas in southern England it is only around 1–2%.
I also discovered some stereotypes, including the idea that red-haired people tend to be short-tempered. However, this is not directly supported by scientific evidence.
Some research does suggest that people with red hair may produce higher levels of adrenaline, but this does not mean the stereotype is true.
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