Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

Good news for humankind... Genetic scientists are predicting Redheads could be extinct in less than 100 years!

Latest figures reveal natural redheads are becoming rarer, and they now account for less than two percent of the world's population.

The National Geographic magazine says red hair was caused by a genetic mutation in northern Europe 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.

However, "global intermingling" has reduced the numbers of redheaded couples, although little carrot tops can still be produced when only one parent has red hair.

The mutant gene is still strongest in Scotland, where 13% of the population have red hair, and up to a massive 40% carry the rare gene.

Some genetic scientists believe gingers could be extinct on Earth within the next 50-100 years, although the gene could potentially lie dormant for generations before returning.

Scientifically, red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene which causes a change in the MC1R protein. Redheads are more prone to skin cancer with a higher sensitivity to ultraviolet light, as well as a higher sensitivity to heat and cold.

* News.com.au: Gingers extinct in 100 years, say scientists


The International GingerKids Foundation is working to find a cure for Gingervitis, which is a serious disease affecting millions of people. The group is working to achieve equality and understanding for ginger children, until a cure is found.

The Redhead motto is "We Are People Too (even if we don't have souls)". Find out more about their work here...