Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/17/2010

Question
I know its impossible to tell until the baby is born, but I am curious. I have red hair, the only redhead in two generations, and only a few before me. The rest of my family has dark brown to black hair. My husband has blond hair, but both of his siblings, his father and majority of his father's family has red hair. It is also in his mother's side, just not as strong.

My question is what is the probability I will have a redheaded child? Or more specifically, what is the probability I won't have a redheaded child? Thank you in advance for your response.

Answer
  Hi Ann
Most trait  involve a single pair of genes but pigments do not so hair colors can come in many shades.  Blonde and red hair involves recessive genes. You are a redhead and most of those in your husbands family have reddish hair so my guess (and is just a guess but a good one that the chance of a red headed child is well over 80%