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Pradeep Kumar

14/03/21 09:20 AM IST

Genetics of eye colour

In news

The researchers have now identified 50 new genes for eye colour

Eye colour
  • Eye colour is primarily determined by melanin abundance within the iris pigment epithelium, which is greater in brown than in blue eyes.
  • There are two forms of melanin – eumelanin and pheomelanin – and the ratio of the two within the iris as well as light absorption and scattering by extracellular components are additional factors that give irises their colour.
  • Absolute melanin quantity and the eumelanin–pheomelanin ratio are higher in brown irises, while blue or green irises have very little of both pigments and relatively more pheomelanin.
New finding
  • Genetic analysis of nearly 0.2 million people across Europe and Asia helped the researchers to identify the new genes.
  • The findings collectively explain over 53% of eye colour variation using common single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
  • Overall, the study outcomes demonstrate that the genetic complexity of human eye colour considerably exceeds previous knowledge and expectations, highlighting eye colour as a genetically highly complex human trait, says a release.
Source: The Hindu

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