Genetics, the scientific study of heredity and variation, is an endlessly fascinating field that captivates us with its unpredictability.
Imagine it as a magical recipe handed down through generations in our family tree. Sometimes, we inherit traits that have persisted for ages, but when those genes mix, they can create surprises we never imagined.
Even though we’ve learned a lot about genes, they still surprise us with interesting results. These 30 photos show just how unique and surprising genetics can be.
1. My Dad Has Something Called A Bifid Thumb Or Pre-Axial Polydactyly. About 1 Out Every 1000 Babies Have It. This Was The Thumb Of Our Uber Delivery Guy
Bifid thumb, also known as pre-axial polydactyly, is when someone is born with two thumbs on one hand. These thumbs can be fully separate or partly joined. It’s not painful and usually only affects one hand. This happens when the hand is forming in the womb and the area that becomes the thumb divides more than it should. It’s more common in boys and certain ethnic groups like Asian American, Native American, or white. About 1 in every 1,000 babies are born with this condition.
Treatment usually involves surgery when the child is around 1 to 2 years old. The surgery aims to combine the best parts of the two thumbs to make one functional thumb. However, the reconstructed thumb might be slightly smaller and work a bit differently than a normal thumb.
2. My Wife’s Eye That Her Doctor Told Her Was The Weirdest He’d Ever Seen
Six years ago, a man shared a strange photo of his wife’s eye online. Her doctor had said it was the weirdest eye he’d ever seen. Now, the man, who has gotten better at taking pictures, has shared a new photo of his wife’s eye.
3. I Traced Around My Vitiligo Spots
Vitiligo is a skin condition where white patches appear due to loss of pigment. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, specifically the ones that give skin color.
It can start at any age but often begins in childhood or before 20. It’s equally common across all ethnicities and genders, and while not contagious, it’s quite visible, especially on darker skin
4. Neonatal Progeria Or Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, also known as Neonatal Progeria, is a rare genetic condition characterized by accelerated aging in children. Symptoms resemble aspects of aging at a very young age, such as hair loss, wrinkled skin, and joint stiffness. It’s caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene, which affects the structural integrity of cell nuclei. Sadly, it leads to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke, with an average lifespan into the early teens
5. Unique Birthmark
This photo shows a young child with a large, unique birthmark on their forehead and around one eye. The dark color of the birthmark stands out against the child’s fair skin, making them look very special. The child’s sweet smile and bright eyes add to the charm of the picture.
6. I Had No Fingernails All My Life
This photo shows a hand with no fingernails. The fingers are smooth and rounded where the nails should be. This is a rare condition that the person has had all their life. Even without nails, the hand looks healthy and can still work well.
7. I Have This Thing Called Raynaud’s Disease. This Happens Every Time I Get Cold
This picture shows a hand affected by Raynaud’s disease. When the person gets cold, their fingers turn white due to reduced blood flow caused by the narrowing of small blood vessels. This condition can cause discomfort and numbness, but it can be managed by keeping warm and avoiding cold exposure.
8. Rare And Unique Genetic Condition Which Is Known As Waardenburg Syndrome
In the above picture is a special boy with Waardenburg Syndrome (a rare genetic condition that affects a person’s appearance and can cause hearing loss and changes in the color of the eyes, hair, and skin.
This rare genetic condition makes him different in a unique way. Despite the challenges, the boy shows us how special differences can be.
9. Hello Beauties
This is Sara, who bravely shares her journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Classical and Dermatosparaxis). This is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues, leading to joint hypermobility, skin fragility, and other symptoms.
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10. Hypertrichosis
Jesus was born with a rare genetic mutation called hypertrichosis, which has left him with excessive hair growth. Inherited from his great-grandmother, hypertrichosis means excessive hair growth that can occur anywhere on the body.
Jesus didn’t always feel understood growing up, he found it difficult when he realised he didn’t look like other kids at school. He started working in circuses at 16 or 17 as a way to escape where he came from.
It was at a circus show that he met Azucena, the love of his life. Jesus and Azucena now happily live together in Chihuahua and he says she has made him feel accepted for who he is ❤️.
11. Chimeras
Chimeras are living things that have two different sets of DNA. Human chimerism is not common, but it happens sometimes. When it does, it can show up in different ways, like having two kinds of red blood cells or having patches of skin with different colors.
12. Here’s A Picture Of The Hand I Was Born With
13. Congenital Melanocytic Nevus
A congenital melanocytic nevus is a visible spot on the skin that you’re born with. These spots can usually be brown, tan, pink, or black. Some moles may even have dark, rough hair growing from them.
14. My Little Sister Was Born With Six Fingers
This is a special little girl who was born with six fingers. This condition is usually called polydactyly, which means they have extra fingers on one or both hands. It’s a natural variation that occurs during fetal development.
15. I Have Somewhat Long Thumbs
The condition with somewhat long thumbs is known as Brachydactyly-long thumb syndrome. It’s a very rare genetic disorder characterized by short fingers and an abnormally long thumb, along with possible heart defects and other physical anomalies. It’s inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning having just one parent with the disorder increases the risk of passing it on.
16. My Girlfriend’s Birthmark In Her Eye
Ocular melanosis, also known as oculodermal melanocytosis or melanosis oculi, is a congenital condition that involves excessive pigmentation of the uvea, sclera, episclera, and eyelids due to an increase in the number of normal melanocytes.
17. None Of My Fingers (Or Toes) Have Middle Knuckles, And It’s Hereditary
Symphalangism is a rare genetic condition that causes the middle joints of the fingers or toes are fused or missing. It’s often hereditary, passed down in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning only one copy of the altered gene is enough to cause the disorder. The condition can affect the proximal joints (closer to the hand or foot) and sometimes even the elbows, ankles, and wrists.
18. My Hands After Washing The Dishes For 20 Minutes
19. Was Born With Some Extra Skin On My Ear, So I Figured It Had To Be Done
20. Mother And Child With Poliosis
“Since a lot of new people are coming here today I’m going to talk a little about my white strands in my and Théo’s hair, we hardly go unnoticed, that’s because we both have a rare and genetic condition called piebaldism, characterized mainly by white spots on the skin and a white strand in the hair. However, what was once a cause of discomfort, has today become a pride. We were born that way to my knowledge, my great grandmother, grandmother, my mother, some of my siblings, me and my son have so it’s hereditary.
Acceptance was a process, but with the help of God and my husband I was able to see that this highlight is perfect. Théo is our only son But at the time it wasn’t a reason for celebration. “I didn’t imagine and I didn’t want my son to be born with the sign. I was sad when I saw that he had it. But after a while I completely changed my mind on this. It seems that God used his birth to transform me and not to conform: I want him to understand, from an early age, that this different condition will not prevent him from being happy and from doing anything he dreams of in life; that he feels beautiful, wonderful and that he always has self-esteem elevated!”
