• Question: why are some people ginger?

    Asked by gingerninja2011 to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 20 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by melissamartin123.
    • Photo: Amy MacQueen

      Amy MacQueen answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Hey gingerninja!

      Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein. This means that both your parents need to carry the gene for “gingerness” – even if they aren’t ginger themselves!

      Most ginger people also have a fair skin colour and lighter eye colors (gray, blue, green, and hazel).

      Do you perchance happen to be ginger? My best friend at school had ginger hair – its beautiful!! 🙂

    • Photo: Drew Rae

      Drew Rae answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Hi Ginger Ninja – you could believe Amy’s genetic answer if you like. Personally I think it is an external way the body has to indicate an intelligent and in all other ways brilliant person.

    • Photo: Kimberley Bryon

      Kimberley Bryon answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Amy’s answer about genetics is correct. I personally love ginger hair – my fiance is ginger, I think it is the best hair colour!

    • Photo: Julia Griffen

      Julia Griffen answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      I never knew that amy! So thier is a reason for me being ginger! 😛

    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hello gingerninja and melissa!! Fun question!! Amy’s got the answer spot on and I totally agree with Drew. My husband, his mom, and his two sisters all have very carrot red hair. Its beautiful! Must have been some serious recessive gene built up in that family! I am a little jealous! 😉

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