Biology/Red Hair
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Question
I have heard all my life that the only way you will have a red haired child is for both of the parents to carry a Red hair gene? Is this true?
Hi Sharon: Thanks for your question.
Red hair is a recessive allele, that means the color is hidden if one parent has an allele for brown hair. So it is possible, if both parents are dark but carriers of the red allele, to have a red-headed child. So both parents have to carry the gene, but they both don't have to be red haired.
Here is a website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair
And here is one on genetics and inheritance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_gene
Hope this helps. Write back if you have more questions.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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